On 31 March the IPT organised a visit for a cross-party group of Parliamentarians to London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The delegation consisted of nine MPs (Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Patrick Grady MP, Kevin Hollinrake MP, Saqib Bhatti MP, Alison Thewliss MP, Ruth Edwards MP, Louie French MP, Chris Loder MP and Emma Hardy MP) and two peers (Viscount Trenchard and Baroness Merron).
LSEG is one of the world’s oldest stock exchanges, its history can be traced back to the 17th century. LSEG enables companies and governments from around the world to issues securities such as shares and bonds to raise capital, these securities can be traded and accessed by investors, ranging from large financial institutions to private individuals.
The parliamentarians attended the Market Open Ceremony, with Kevin Hollinrake MP, Alison Thewliss MP and Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP being invited to place the glass tablet on the podium, marking the start of the trading day on the London Stock Exchange.
The Market Open Ceremony was followed by a series of roundtable discussions covering pertinent issues: Overview of LSEG; Primary Markets and AIM: LSEG and UK competitiveness; LSEGs role in sustainability.
More specifically the discussions explored LSEGs sustainability strategy, which includes supporting companies and investors take the action they need to transition to net zero. As well as highlighting the initiatives LSEG is leading to make the transition to net zero a reality. The roundtable also focused on UK competitiveness in the wake of COVID-19 and Brexit. Financial markets have an integral part to play in supporting companies of all types and all sizes across the UK innovate, grow, and create jobs.