Active Disinformation Campaign Threatens Industry, Dame Susan Langley Warns

London’s Financial Sector Battles “Active Disinformation Campaign,” Warns City Mayor

An organized disinformation campaign targeting London’s financial district poses a significant threat to the UK’s position as a global financial hub, according to Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of London.

Speaking at The Risk Forum, a one-day conference organized by insurance industry body Airmic, Langley highlighted how false narratives about safety and stability in London are circulating internationally, potentially undermining the city’s reputation.

“I heard someone say ‘my colleagues are frightened coming over because they think they are going to step outside their office and be wrestled to the ground and stabbed,'” Langley recounted. “Then I heard it the next week when somebody said ‘my colleague is coming out, but she’s not going to wear any of her jewellery or watch.’ This is really quite ridiculous.”

Langley, who brings approximately 25 years of insurance sector experience, identified disinformation—deliberately spread false information intended to deceive—as an emerging risk that should be prioritized by risk management professionals. This differs from misinformation, which involves the unintentional distribution of incorrect information.

The Mayor expressed particular concern about conversations she’s had with leaders from other financial centers, including Singapore, where these exaggerated perceptions about London’s safety have taken root. She warned that the combination of disinformation campaigns and self-deprecation within the UK about its own economy creates a “risk to the industry” and London’s financial services sector.

“We have to be far less British. Far more Tigger than Eeyore and start being positive about our business,” Langley urged attendees.

To counter these negative narratives, London plans to host its first Global Risk Summit on May 12, 2026. The invitation-only event will feature keynote presentations and networking opportunities designed to showcase London’s strengths and provide international business leaders with compelling reasons to maintain their connections to the city.

“One thing telling the world that we’re good—even though we’re not that good at that—but there’s another thing about showing it, and we want people to have an excuse to continue to come to London,” Langley explained.

The timing of these reputation challenges comes at what Langley describes as a pivotal moment for the insurance industry and global financial markets. “I’ve been in insurance now for 25 years. Across my career, this is the most pivotal moment where we have to be our most flexible, most agile, because things are almost changing on a daily basis.”

Beyond reputation management, Langley highlighted significant structural changes in global trading relationships that are reshaping the risk landscape. Traditional cost-based supply chain decisions are increasingly being replaced by partnerships built on “trust, friendship, and common values,” reflecting a fundamental shift in how businesses approach international commerce.

“One of the things that is really stark when you consider the number of people I see and the companies I visit is that the old world order—rules, stability, cooperation—is changing,” she observed. “In many areas, it’s just gone. It’s absolutely gone.”

This transformation has elevated geopolitical risk to the top of corporate agendas. Langley cited EY’s CEO Outlook 2026 report, published in January, which found that 80% of businesses are now making investment decisions primarily based on geopolitical risk considerations rather than traditional factors.

The Mayor’s warnings come at a critical time for London’s financial district, which continues to navigate post-Brexit challenges while competing with rising financial centers in Asia and strengthened European hubs. Financial services remain crucial to the UK economy, accounting for approximately 10% of total economic output and generating significant tax revenue for the government.

Industry analysts suggest that countering disinformation will require coordinated efforts from government, industry bodies, and individual financial institutions to present accurate data about London’s business environment, safety statistics, and continuing advantages as a global financial center.