Our Ambassadors were invited to the City of London Corporation Guildhall to take part in a very special day exploring local democracy, civic leadership, and the history of the City. This blog shares a little about what they got up to - from tours and debates to career conversations - along with their reflections on what they learned and took away from the experience. Thanks to ambassador Khushi for the brilliant photos.

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Exploring the City

The day began with a welcome at the North Wing Reception, followed by a guided tour of the City of London Corporation Guildhall. Ambassadors explored the Committee Rooms, Members’ Area, and historic galleries, and learned about how decisions are made and how the building’s history connects to the work of the City Corporation today. They also visited the lower levels, discovering the Roman origins of the City of London - often called the Square Mile.

The City was first established by the Romans around 47 AD as Londinium, making it the oldest part of London and the historic centre of the wider city. Today, it remains a unique local authority, governed by the City of London Corporation and led by the Lord Mayor of London, while still being separate from the Greater London Authority.

“I had such a great time last week at the City Corporation. The highlight of my day was the tour, especially seeing how the City has changed over time - from the Romans to the medieval period. I was amazed that so many structures have been preserved, like the Roman Amphitheatre beneath the Guildhall. I also enjoyed learning how the City was formed and what makes it distinct from Greater London. Hearing Caroline explain the role of the City Corporation and the traditions was fascinating. Guildhall itself was incredible - it has been the centre of government in the City of London since the 15th century and has hosted everything from royal ceremonies to historic trials.”

 - Salma

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Laugh or Legislate

The group then took part in a debate session called Laugh or Legislate. Ambassadors were split into teams and, with support from councillors including Caroline Haines CC, argued for and against the motion “This House believes a Jaffa Cake is a biscuit.” The debate gave Ambassadors the chance to practise public speaking, test their arguments, and build confidence in a formal setting.

“I had such an amazing time, the day was filled with history, inspiration, and plenty of fun - from walking through incredible spaces and learning about local democracy to debating whether a Jaffa Cake is a biscuit. What stood out most to me was connecting with councillors and professionals, and realising how much confidence I could build in my own voice. I left feeling motivated, empowered, and excited about the role young women can play in shaping the future.”

 - Liza

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City of London careers networking

Later in the morning, Ambassadors joined roundtable conversations with City of London staff working across heritage, sustainability, law, digital services, and public health. These sessions showcased the variety of careers within the Corporation and gave Ambassadors the opportunity to ask questions directly.

“I really enjoyed speaking with a member of the finance team, as it gave me a better understanding of careers in the sector and inspired me to think about my own future in finance. Hearing from the women working across different areas, from STEM to heritage management, was also invaluable. Their advice highlighted the range of opportunities available and showed how different skills can shape meaningful careers.”

Maham

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Reflections from City of London volunteers

City of London volunteers shared their thoughts on the day and what it meant to them:

"I gained a better understanding of what young women may be looking for and experiencing on their initial career journey. This experience strengthened my confidence in the ability to provide guidance and useful examples from my own career journey and experience. It was also interesting to hear about the other volunteers’ experiences. Finally, I felt I positively contributed to something meaningful and important, as I am passionate about young people’s development." 

"I loved speaking to this group of Ambassadors. It was really exciting to hear about the opportunities they have coming up and to think about what their careers may hold!"

 - City of London Corporation LEAP Volunteers

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We’d like to say a huge thank you to the City of London Corporation staff, volunteers and everyone involved for welcoming our Ambassadors and providing such a thought-provoking, interesting, and informative day. By opening up the history and traditions of the capital and connecting the girls with councillors, volunteers, and professionals, you showed them that working in the City is something they can aspire to.

From exploring Roman ruins to debating in chambers and discovering career pathways, the day gave our Ambassadors new confidence, inspiration, and belief in their futures. Experiences like these help show girls that they belong in these spaces - and that their voices and ambitions matter.