A statue of Sir John Cass, a benefactor of the former Cass Business School, is to be removed from Guildhall in the City of London.
The move comes just months after City University of London decided to change the name of the Cass Business School.
The school is known for its shipping and trade finance courses and as the home of the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping Trade and Finance.
It has temporarily been renamed the Business School while it carries out a process to select a new name, which is scheduled to be completed in September.
The name change came amid Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd in the US.
The Cass name became attached to the school 18 years ago when it received a posthumous donation from the Cass Foundation.
Sir John Cass was involved in the Atlantic slave trade through his connection with the Royal African Company. His statue is to be returned to the Cass Foundation.
At the time the school's name was put up for review, Julia Palca, City University of London council chair, said: “Any continued use of Sir John Cass’ name would be seen as condoning someone whose wealth in part derived from the exploitation of slavery. This is incompatible with our values of diversity and inclusivity.”
The City of London Corp said the removal of the statue was intended to promote a “inclusive and diverse City”.
