21 November

Annual Impact Reception celebrates partnership, progress and a shared vision for a better City

Earlier this week (on Tuesday 18 November), more than 200 friends, partners and trustees of The Appeal gathered at Mansion House for the Annual Impact Reception. The event served as a celebration of the programmes, partnerships and momentum driving The Appeal’s mission to create A Better City for All. Attendees had the opportunity to look back on the past year’s achievements, while also looking ahead to new relationships and ambitious programme targets.

Hosted by Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE, The Rt Hon The Lady Mayor of the City of London, the evening opened with a warm and heartfelt welcome. “If the past year has shown us anything, it’s that when the City unites behind a common purpose, our collective impact can be extraordinary,” she reflected, setting the tone for an evening dedicated to collaboration, progress and community spirit.

The Lady Mayor also extended her gratitude to The Appeal’s supporters, emphasising the collective effort behind its success. “This is about taking a step back and reflecting on what we’ve achieved and acknowledging the City community who support and facilitate the work we deliver, and we are genuinely grateful,” she said.

A highlight of the evening was an engaging conversation led by Chair of Trustees Sir Edward Braham, featuring the 2025 charity partners Homewards and MQ Mental Health Research. Together, they explored the hidden impact of their partnership with The Appeal – from extending their reach across the City to discovering the “weird and wonderful world of the liveries”. As the discussion revealed, the benefits of these relationships extend far beyond financial support, creating powerful ripple effects across communities.

The reception also marked the formal introduction of incoming charity partners, the West Ham United Foundation (WHUF) and the Combined Cadets Force (CCF). Guests heard from WHUF’s CEO Joe Lyons, who shared his hopes and ambitions for the partnership as the charity joins The Lord Mayor’s Appeal family.

Voices from within The Appeal’s core programmes – Power of Inclusion, This is Me, We Can Be and City Giving Day – offered a compelling glimpse into how organisations are engaging with key societal challenges in the City. Speakers highlighted progress in social mobility, workplace wellbeing, opportunities for young women and fostering corporate commitment to social impact. As Standard Chartered’s Eva Polykandrioti noted, “Through the Appeal’s programmes, we’ve been able to educate our colleagues, strengthen our leadership culture and enhance our understanding of inclusion, wellbeing and social responsibility.”

The evening concluded with an opportunity for attendees to continue conversations with speakers, trustees and The Lord Mayor’s Appeal team, deepening understanding of the work showcased throughout the event.

The Appeal team and trustees extend their sincere thanks to all who attended. As the Lady Mayor expressed, gratitude lies at the heart of this shared mission: “Thank you all for being part of that journey – for your time, your generosity and your belief in a better, fairer City for all.”

Read the latest Impact Report 2025/26 here.