{
  "id": 4778365,
  "title": "‘They want business on board’: How Reform UK is wooing City chiefs at its conference",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/they-want-business-on-board-how-reform-uk-is-wooing-city-chiefs-at",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-01T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/they-want-business-on-board-how-reform-uk-is-wooing-city-chiefs-at-its-conference/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is actively courting business leaders as it prepares for its upcoming conference in Birmingham. The party's conference, which runs for several days, features a series of industry breakfasts and dinners, aimed at convincing investors and industrial giants of the merits of their radical government plans. This approach marks a significant shift from the party's earlier, more informal style.\n\nThe party is using a more refined and upscale approach to woo business leaders, offering them pastries, cold meats, and fruit during industry breakfasts. The move comes after years of the party's leaders visiting various eateries in the Square Mile, or financial district, to discuss their ideas with executives and industrial titans. The feedback from these events has been positive, with attendees praising the positive reception of the party's radical policies.\n\nThe conference, which is expected to see a significant increase in the number of business representatives, will be a notable event for Reform UK. Unlike previous gatherings, which were more informal and resembled a Trump rally, this conference will feature a formal agenda with industry body chiefs and blue-chip firms such as Google, Cadent Gas, and Panmure Liberum. The party has been actively engaging with businesses, holding weekly updates on their plans and events, and showing evidence of substantial policy thinking.\n\nThe move to court business interests is not without its challenges. The party's outspoken home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, has been involved in a series of controversial statements regarding immigration policies, leading to backlash from some companies. Despite these issues, the party's investment in the conference – including cheaper ticket prices compared to its competitors Labour and the Conservatives – suggests that business engagement is a priority for Reform UK.",
  "summary": "Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is on a mission to win over businesses before the next election. Maurício Alencar and Ali Lyon report on how the party’s upcoming conference in Birmingham could determine its political future. By the time Britain’s executives descend on the Reform UK party conference this week, many will already be well-acquainted with [...]",
  "key_points": [
    "Reform UK is actively courting business leaders at its upcoming conference in Birmingham.",
    "The party is using a refined approach with industry breakfasts and dinners to woo investors.",
    "Despite challenges, the conference will feature blue-chip firms and industry chiefs."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Reform UK's upscale courtship of City chiefs signals a strategic shift towards wooing business leaders, suggesting the party now sees securing corporate backing as crucial to its success.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}