20 Under 40: Adam Thompson
Meet Adam Thompson, 39, manager of government and external relations with the City of London, and one of our 20 Under 40 Class of 2021 recipients
AMPLIFYING LONDON’S IMAGE, narrative and needs to officials and decision-makers at the federal and provincial levels, Adam Thompson works tirelessly to ensure local MPs and MPPs have a clear understanding of local needs and priorities, and that decision-makers that may have never set foot in London understand the impacts federal and provincial policies have at the local level. Since joining the City of London in December of 2015, his team has directly influenced over $1 billion in federal and provincial investments into our community.
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What would you call your biggest business achievement, and why?
Over the past two years, I have had the honour of leading the development and implementation of the London Community Recovery Network, which is made up of over 50 representatives from the private, public and non-profit sectors across the city. More than 30 of London’s leader organizations have been collaborating to build a strong, prosperous and inclusive post-Covid London. We are proud of our work done to date, which has prioritized more than $3 million of public and private investment into recovery ideas for action geared to helping businesses and all Londoners lay a strong foundation for community recovery.
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How have the last two years changed you and your approach to work?
The pandemic has challenged London like never before. Small business owners have had to rise to meet existential challenges and find new ways to innovate as customers have moved to rising usage of online shopping. All Londoners have been affected in some way — and others have faced disproportionate impacts. As a public policy contributor, I have seen both the power of, and the unrelenting need for, collective action to respond to the shared community challenges brought on by Covid-19. The adage of ‘we are stronger together’ has moved beyond a simple message and has become a central component of effective public policy making in London and beyond.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to take more time to listen — to hear what the needs of our community are directly from the community.
You’re off on your dream vacation — where to?
Back to Iceland! 
Interview by Kieran Delamont