About us
About the City of London Corporation
Based in Guildhall, the City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. We are a uniquely diverse organisation, with a role that goes beyond that of an ordinary local authority. We have our own government (the oldest in the country with origins pre-dating Parliament), our own Lord Mayor and independent police force.
As the governing body of the Square Mile, we are dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. We aim to ensure:
- Diverse Engaged Communities
- Dynamic Economic Growth
- Leading Sustainable Environment
- Vibrant Thriving Destination
- Providing Excellent Services
- Flourishing Public Spaces
by strengthening the connections, capacity and character of the City, London and the UK for the benefit of people who live, work and visit here. Our reach extends far beyond the Square Mile’s boundaries and across private, public and voluntary sector responsibilities. This, along with our independent and non-party political voice and convening power, enables us to promote the interests of people and organisations across London and the UK and play a valued role on the world stage.
Find out more about our vision in our Corporate Plan 2024-29 and our People Strategy 2024-29.
We provide local government services for residents and City workers based in the Square Mile, but not those of other boroughs.
However, our unique role means that our reach does extend beyond the City to include:
- More than 11,000 acres of green spaces, including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest
- Billingsgate, Smithfield and New Spitalfields wholesale food markets
- The Heathrow Animal Reception Centre
- Housing across London
- A range of schools and academies
- And we are London’s Port Health Authority
Some key numbers
Our Approach to Equity, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EEDI)
Equality Objectives 2024-29
The City Corporation’s Equality Objectives 2024-2029 are a dynamic framework advancing our commitment to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion (EEDI) as a leader, employer and service provider. The Objectives are owned across all departments and institutions.
Our Equality Objectives are integral to the effective delivery of Our Corporate Plan 2024-29, People Strategy 2024-29 and other elements that shape and drive the organisation over the next five years and beyond. They have been developed through internal and external consultation, providing a direction of travel, not a destination, with progress regularly reviewed.
As set out in the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011, the City of London Corporation is required to publish one or more specific and measurable Equality Objectives at least every four years.
The City Corporation is committed to delivering excellent customer service. We recognise the different needs of our customers and actively work to minimise potential issues of exclusion and discrimination. We aspire to be a leader in equality and inclusion, serving a wide range of communities including our staff, residents, businesses and the workforce of the Square Mile.
The City Corporation also aims to provide an inclusive, respectful and discrimination-free work environment for staff. We will use best practice in employment in accordance with legislation to ensure that employees feel respected and able to give their best. As far as possible, we would like our workforce to be broadly representative of all sections of society.
We will hold EEDI to include the characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010 {Age; Sex (and Gender); Race (and Ethnicity); Disability; Religion or belief; Sexual orientation; Gender reassignment; Marriage or civil partnerships; Pregnancy and maternity}, but also other historic barriers to opportunity, such as “class”, nationality, dialect, education and other forms of socio-economic exclusion.