We checked in with the team to find out where they get their information on everything in London, from the best networking conferences to the most reliable events calendars.

Our favourite ways to keep up with events in London

Emily Aldrich, our CEO and Managing Director, most often goes by word of mouth. She keeps a special note on her phone just for recommendations, which can include anything from events and travel destinations to books and films (a special tip: Emily also notes who made the recommendation so that she can go back to them afterwards!)

Eva Joseph, Director, and Cato Cooper, Consultant, find social media a great way to keep up with events in London. Alex Haynes, Chief Financial Officer, recommends starting the morning with a newspaper, and setting up alerts relevant to you on your phone; many news apps allow you to sort and filter content by sector.

Some London-based finance conferences, forums and summits include:

• London Banking Summit 2025
• Finovate Europe
• MoneyLive Summit 2026
• Multiple events recognised by UK Finance

How we stay knowledgeable about the finance and banking sectors

It is so important to develop your connections in this bustling city. When it comes to corporate events and networking opportunities in London, Emily is an avid listener of Bloomberg News’s podcasts and Business Daily’s podcast, and she also reads the Financial Times to keep up with London’s finance and banking scene. Eva again has a preference for social media, with LinkedIn being the standard for finance and banking news.

Alex adds, “even a daily review of the front page of the FT gives a really good insight into what currently matters in the finance and banking industry. If anything catches your eye, you can always dig deeper.” She also recommends researching the top thought leaders in your chosen market sector and following them and their company on LinkedIn. “This will give you a deeper insight into the current projects, company culture and what moves them in business,” says Alex. Following them, she says, could also make you aware of other key players in the industry who might be commenting and responding.

Staying active on LinkedIn is also a great way to find out about future employers!

Where we eat and shop

We are always on the hunt for great places to treat our clients, and vibrant spots to introduce to candidates new to the city. Among others, our team favoured Akira, Supermarket of Dreams, The Ned (especially breakfast), and they felt Soho was a wonderful district to get a real flavour for London’s independent dining scene.

Alex mentions that The Ned is an especially important destination for those in London’s finance & banking industries because of its history. The former head office of Midland Bank, The Ned is a Grade-1 listed building that still has vaults in its basement and retains plenty of reminders of its history, from its furnishing to its artwork.

Finally, Sarah Matthews, our Chief Resourcer, recommends going to independent shops whenever possible, and there is no excuse in such a diverse place as London. For professional gifts, she says that Labour & Wait has some great ideas, and Daunt Books (multiple locations) has something for everyone.

How to stand out as a job candidate in London

Eva recommends making a regular habit of updating your CV and LinkedIn profile. She emphasises the importance of up-skilling, whether that’s through online courses or through professional certifications. Companies love to see candidates who are driven to excel in their career.

Finally, Eva and Cato say that registering your interest with up to three strong recruitment agencies in London, and keeping in regular touch with them, will help you to get to the job you want faster.

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If you live in London, where would you take someone to introduce them to this wonderful city? Let’s keep the conversation going on our social media channels: Connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram, and get regular updates on our latest roles in the City of London’s finance & banking sectors.