The 2021 London Anchor Institutions’ Network Summit Report
On 14 December 2021 the London Anchor Institutions’ Network virtual Summit brought together over 200 representatives from the city’s anchor institutions, a wider supportive network, London’s leadership, and inspiring speakers who shared their experiences of working on projects in diverse cities including New York and Chicago.
The summit was a moment for institutions to demonstrate their continued commitment to the principles of the initiative and co-working, and part of the growing momentum to support London’s sustainable recovery. The event was Chaired by Linda Gibbs, Principle, Bloomberg Associates and former Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services for New York City.
Attendees were welcomed to the event by Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils (Lab), Leader of Camden Council and Co-Chair of London Recovery Board alongside Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. Cllr Gould reminded attendees of their shared goal to develop London as a fairer, more equal, greener, and more resilient city than it was before the pandemic, and the special role of anchor institutions in supporting London’s recovery.
Watch Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils (Lab)
The keynote address was given by Geoffrey Canada, President of Harlem Children’s Zone, renowned for his pioneering work in place-based innovation. Geoffrey spoke about what it takes to help children succeed who, like himself, have grown up poor and in distressed neighbourhoods.
“We had to have a bold vision, our vision was clear and we were unapologetic about it. We were going to eliminate the achievement gap between black and white students and we were going to end generational poverty in central Harlem by working in a 97 block area - which we called ‘our zone’ - essentially we focused on the 10,000 children and 11,000 adults that lived there to provide a set of support that was going to rebuild this community”– Geoffrey Canada, President of Harlem Children’s Zone, New York City.
Watch Geoffrey Canada, President, Harlem Children’s Zone
Pippa Nightingale, Chief Nursing Officer at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, was able to share her experiences of working to improve recruitment from within the North West London area, where the NHS is the biggest employer, to create a workforce that matches the diversity of the patient cohort.
She highlighted the rapid progress made during the pandemic, when the immediate need to recruit and onboard thousands of new staff at pace for vaccination centres necessitated the lowering of of barriers to entry and reliance on local relationships, which has informed a long-term goal to continue local recruitment.
COVID-19 has had a huge impact on all Londoners, but especially young people, who have seen the pandemic affect their mental and physical health, educational outcomes, and access to jobs and training opportunities. At “Why Mentoring Matters”, Members of London’s Youth Recovery Board, set up to provide young Londoners with the opportunity to share their views and insights on the issues that matter to them most, Sumaiya Bangura and Jade Barnett, spoke powerfully of the importance of mentorship, sharing the amazing impact it has had on their prospects and their confidence.
“A lot of young people just need guidance and support - speaking of my experience with having mentors or having people in my life that want me to strive for my dreams, I now believe that I am capable of achieving them.” – Jade Barnett, Member of London’s Youth Recovery Board
Watch Sumaiya Bangura and Jade Barnett, Members of London’s Youth Recovery Board
Sumaiya and Jade introduced Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who discussed the crucial importance of anchors work to London’s recovery.
Watch Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
Panel discussion “Stories of Success”, featured Frances Jones, Associate Director, Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES); Candace Moore, Chief Equity Officer, City of Chicago; and David Frances, Director of West London Alliance; and was chaired by Sarah McKinley, Director of European Programs, The Democracy Collaborative.
Co-Chairs of the Steering Committee Wendy Thomson CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of London, and Vin Diwakar Regional Director, NHS London, launched a call to action.
“It reminds me of the London Olympics, when the eyes of the world were on our capital and the city pulled together in ways that were difficult to imagine. That’s the challenge we should set ourselves again – if we translate our enthusiasm and commitment to support London’s recovery we can once again show what our great city can achieve by working together.” – Wendy Thomson CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of London
Break-out discussions followed, during which attendees had an opportunity to meet other anchor representatives and discuss priority areas in support of three of the London Recovery Board missions - helping Londoners into good work, a new deal for young people, and a green new deal.
Since the summit, the Network has welcomed new signatories London First and Thames Water. Coordinated by Greater London Authority, we’re continuing to engage with a range of public and private sector organisations interested in engaging with the mission-based approach to recovery.
Thank you to everyone involved for their hard work in support of London’s anchor institutions programme - so many have gone above and beyond to seize the opportunity to make a difference for London and Londoners.
Businesses and organisations can find out how to join the programme or speak to a member of the project team by emailing: recovery@london.gov.uk