London links boosted

The event is entitled "London Derry Connected" and took place in London's Guildhall.

The networking reception was hosted by The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Michael Bear, and was a unique opportunity for senior decision makers from London to meet business contacts from Londonderry and explore profitable connections.

Speakers at the reception included Mayor, Colum Eastwood, Jim Foster, Independent Financial Consultant, who pioneered the Citigroup operation in Northern Ireland and Padraig Canavan, founder of Londonderry success story Singularity.

The speakers showcased successful examples of outsourced business relationships already in existence between Londonderry and London companies and highlighted the new world-class direct international telecoms link between London, Londonderry and the US via Project Kelvin.

The reception also emphasised the longstanding cultural and economic relationships between the cities of London and Londonderry that make positive business and civic relationships easier.

Talking ahead of the event Colum Eastwood said: "In the remodelled post-recession economic environment the drive for competitiveness in London will provide opportunities for Derry to provide outsourced services.

"In the light of Project Kelvin and the international telecom links that place Derry as a Western European gateway US Markets, businesses in London are increasingly recognising our city as an ideal venue to do business and real time and at a low cost.

"This event will serve to underpin the already vibrant relationship that exists between the two cities."

The "London Derry Connected" event was organised by Derry City Council in partnership with the City of London, The Honourable The Irish Society, Londonderry Connections and Invest Northern Ireland.