In a significant move for UK financial diplomacy, JP Morgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon is set to personally introduce Chancellor Rachel Reeves at a high-profile event during next week's World Economic Forum in Davos.
A High-Profile Endorsement in the Alps
The Sky News revelation confirms that Mr Dimon will chair a roundtable gathering in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday 15 January 2026. The event, organised by the banker's office, will be attended by chief executives from some of the world's largest multinational corporations. It represents a major platform for the Chancellor to pitch Britain's economic vision directly to global capital.
The invitation for the event frames it as "a unique opportunity to engage with a key policymaker on the UK's current economic landscape, plans for growth and investment, and policy reform". This joint hosting role is seen as a powerful endorsement from one of Wall Street's most influential figures.
Budget Decisions and Business Confidence
The Davos meeting comes just two months after Chancellor Reeves's Autumn Budget, which notably exempted the banking sector from punitive new tax rises. In the weeks leading to that November statement, speculation had been rife that the Treasury might impose significant additional levies on banks, a move that would have adversely affected institutions like JP Morgan.
Following the decision to hold off on tax hikes, Mr Dimon publicly welcomed the Chancellor's "focus on financial discipline", stating it was something "the market should welcome". The tangible vote of confidence came swiftly: the day after the budget, JP Morgan confirmed ambitious plans to develop a vast new headquarters in London's Canary Wharf, designed to house up to 12,000 of the bank's employees.
Charm Offensive for Global Investment
Insiders indicate this Davos roundtable is a cornerstone of Ms Reeves's renewed push to promote the UK as a premier global investment destination. Her engagement with business leaders is intensifying in the new year, kicking off with a pre-Davos reception in London on Tuesday 13 January, aimed at outlining her economic priorities for 2026.
The Chancellor's direct dialogue with titans like Jamie Dimon underscores a strategic effort to reassure international investors and secure commitments following a budget perceived as business-friendly. Both the Treasury and JP Morgan have declined to comment on the specifics of the upcoming Davos engagement.
This development highlights the delicate interplay between government policy, corporate confidence, and the ongoing campaign to attract foreign direct investment to the UK in a competitive global landscape.
