London First

London First’s joint mentoring scheme – sharing expertise between police and business leaders

Leadership Exchange is a joint mentoring scheme, pairing police and business leaders together to exchange expertise on leadership and management issues. Its purpose is to strengthen links between police and business at a senior level, share corporate learning and leadership skills and bring a fresh perspective to the work practices of both parties. Since its launch in 2001, over 400 individuals have participated in Leadership Exchange. The strength of Leadership Exchange lies in the matching of leaders from different organisations and cultures, providing a confidential sounding board and fresh insight into some of the challenges that are faced at a senior level. Previous participants in the scheme have greatly valued the opportunity to discuss challenges away from busy work schedules in an environment that is positive, refreshing and enjoyable.

Leadership Lectures - Our mentoring programme is supported by a series of regular lectures from a broad spectrum of inspirational speakers.  Recent speakers have included Dr Stephen Covey, (Author,The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Co-founder Frankin-Covey) ,  General Sir Mike Jackson (former Chief of the General Staff), David Campbell (President and CEO, AEG), Rory Sutherland (Global Vice Chairman and Creative Director, Ogilvyone), Nick Henderson (former Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards and founder of Guardian Global Security) and Peter Kenyon (CEO, Clelsea FC).

To find out more about Leadership Exchange mentoring opportunities and our Leadership Lecture series:

Read our latest Leadership Exchange booklet, setting out the benefits and guiding principles of participation

Alternatively, contact Jane Cunningham on 020 7665 1508


What they say about Leadership Exchange:

"This innovative partnership continues to strengthen the relationship between the police and business communities across London.  The ethos of the Metropolitan Police Service is to work with London's communities, visitors and businesses and the London First joint mentoring scheme is an effective and practical application of this.  There is an enormous benefit of sharing knowledge and expertise between police and business leaders that I hope will lead to creative and innovative solutions that make London safer."

Sir Paul Stephenson, Metropolitan Police Commissioner

"It has been a pleasure and a privilege to participate in the Leadership Exchange programme. In addition, the opportunity to work with a senior police officer discussing the challenges each of us faces in our different daily activities has been fascinating and instructive. I would recommend anyone considering to take part to do so. It will be rewarding and enjoyable”

Alan Jenkins, Chairman, Eversheds


“Being a part of Leadership Exchange gives me the opportunity to explore new ways of
working by having someone to share ideas with and who encourages me to challenge
my own thinking. The issues we face, such as financial budgeting and managing change,
are common to us all and having a forum like this means that we can share expertise to help
tackle the complexities involved in each others’ work and deliver real improvement
to our performance.”

Andrew Trotter, Chief Constable, British Transport Police

“The Leadership Exchange Programme has offered me a great chance to share important
thinking with a fascinating person from a very different walk of life than my own - someone
that I would never otherwise have had the opportunity to talk with. We swap ideas about
management - about priorities and pressures within work - as well as trying to help each
other to think creatively about the challenges that we each face.”

Sandy Nairne, Director, National Portrait Gallery

“Working closely with The City of London Police, London First drive forward innovative
and practical partnership work that make London's business districts safer and more
resilient. They should be proud of the outcomes that they have helped achieve
in terms of delivering business security and continuity.”

Michael Bowron, City of London Police Commissioner

“London’s success depends on its ability to attract businesses and talented individuals
from around the world. Crucial to London’s international standing is its safe working
environment, as epitomised by the iconic British ‘bobby’. London First created
Leadership Exchange as part of its wider mission to make London the best city in the
world in which to do business. I am delighted that the scheme brings together highly
capable people, from police and business, to share their knowledge and experience
to the benefit of our city.”

Baroness Jo Valentine, Chief Executive, London First