Goldman Sachs to host Kemi Badenoch for post-Budget business roundtable

Kemi Badenoch is set to intensify her engagement with the financial sector following the upcoming Autumn Budget, with a private roundtable hosted by Goldman Sachs. The Conservative leader will co-host a lunch for founders, investors and chief executives from across the United Kingdom alongside Anthony Gutman, the chief executive of Goldman Sachs International. The gathering is scheduled to take place at the firm’s City office on 5 November, one week after Labour Chancellor John Healey presents his fiscal plans.

According to an invitation issued by Gutman, the session will provide attendees with an opportunity to discuss the political and business environment in the UK. The event is expected to offer Badenoch a platform to outline her vision for the future, particularly in the wake of what is anticipated to be a challenging Budget for the corporate sector. This initiative follows similar summits previously organised by Rachel Reeves during her tenure as Chancellor, including an October event for IPO candidates and a Davos roundtable introduced by Jamie Dimon.

The timing of the summit coincides with expectations that Healey will target the City to balance the public finances. An increase to the UK banking surcharge, which is levied on top of corporation tax, is widely predicted to raise approximately two billion pounds. The Conservative Party has recently opposed such measures, with Badenoch urging the Chancellor to resist pressure from the Labour left and trade unions during a visit to Edinburgh. Over the past year, the party has promoted a deregulation agenda that includes the abolition of ring-fencing and the financial ombudsman. A Tory source described the party’s approach as an exciting package of policies designed to encourage investment, support start-ups and strengthen the City of London. Both the Conservatives and Goldman Sachs declined to comment on the matter.