Last night saw London take the crown as the global city for business in front of over three hundred of the most influential members of the property
industry, in the final show down between London and New York at the 2012 LandAid Debate sponsored by Cushman & Wakefield.
The invite only event saw Howard Wolfson and Robert Steel, Deputy Mayors of New York, take on Boris Johnson, The Mayor of London and Tim Campbell, the Mayor’s Ambassador for Training and Enterprise and winner of the BBC’s The Apprentice, fight it out for the title of ‘Global City for Business’.
Each city was given three minutes to put forward its case in the presidential style debate. London’s victory cannot be attributed to Boris’ time keeping however despite the efforts of Sarah Montague from BBC Radio Four’s Today programme, when he insisted “this isn’t the Today programme, no one told me I had three minutes. This is City Hall I can speak for as long as I like.”
Boris Johnson’s bombastic nature stole the show and during his opening gambit he revealed that he was, in actual fact, a New York native, having been born in the ‘Big Apple’. Robert Steel, Deputy Mayor of New York City was fast to counteract, stating that he had lived in London for seven years, further adding that the multi-cultural make-up of New York (35 per cent of the population are first generation New Yorkers) is what gives New York its edge.
Both teams were then subjected to questions from an impressive panel of experts including Giles Barrie (Editor of Property Week), Tony Travers (Director of Greater London Group, LSE) and Todd Benjamin (former - CNN journalist) covering issues such as their city as a financial centre, transport and development.
One thing on which both cities agreed, was the need to support young and disadvantaged people, something that Sarah Montague was very keen to point out. Both sides congratulated each other in their work in this area, which is ever more relevant in the context of the work LandAid does up and down the country. However in the final vote London came up trumps, despite the superb efforts of the New York Mayors.
Joanna Averley, Chief Executive, LandAid stated:
“As the newly appointed Chief Executive of LandAid, the property industry, I am delighted that the debate has raised £50,000. I would like to warmly thank everyone who was involved in the event and all those who continue to support LandAid in all the work we do to help young people achieve their potential.” |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2012
Mayor of London versus Deputy Mayor of New York: Gloves come off for fight for number one global city for business
The gloves come off on Wednesday 8 February between the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and Tim Campbell (winner of The Apprentice) and Deputy Mayors of New York, Howard Wolfson (Government Affairs) and Robert Steel (Economic Development) as they battle it out at The LandAid Annual Debate.
The LandAid Debate: Battle of the Giants, sponsored by Cushman & Wakefield, will explore whether London or New York is the premier city for business in 2012. London is quite possibly the world's preeminent business city, yet this claim is also made by New York, London's closest rival.
The debate is an opportunity to explore how London and New York as ‘global cities’ can remain competitive in a world where 90 percent of the fastest-growing metropolitan economies were located outside North America and Western Europe; how to support economic growth and address the disparities of opportunity and wealth across their neighbourhoods; and ask what role the property industry has in addressing these issues.
The invite-only event will see mayors from both cities fight it out for the accolade of number one global city for business in a debate moderated by Sarah Montague, journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, commenting ahead of the debate, said: "London is the best big city in the world, and I never tire of pointing out to my counterparts that we have a lower murder rate than New York, less rain than Rome and more bookshops than Paris.”
"We're in the right time zone, speak the right language and have the ambition to ensure London remains the world's foremost global business centre, and I'm looking forward to fighting London's corner in the LandAid Debate."
Deputy Mayor for Government Affairs and Communications Howard Wolfson said: “The numbers tell the tale – New York City’s record population, record number of immigrants, and record levels of tourism speak volumes about the Big Apple's status as the world's greatest city, I’m looking forward to defending the honour of the New World in the Capitol of the Old.”
Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel said: “New York City is rightly known around the world as the Greatest City on Earth, and under Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s leadership the City has never been stronger, I look forward to making the case that New York is the best positioned City in the world to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the 21st century economy.” |
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 Joanna Averley, currently interim Chief Executive of Centre for Cities has been appointed as the new CEO of the property industry charity LandAid. She will be in post from the beginning of February. Joanna comes with over 20 years of experience of working across the design, planning and delivery of major regeneration and building projects. She has worked both as a consultant, client, government adviser and charity CEO.
Robin Broadhurst, Chairman of LandAid stated:
“Joanna’s wealth of knowledge and experience of the property and regeneration industry will bring an exciting dynamic to the LandAid team. I am increasingly confident that we are now well placed to meet the significant challenges that lie ahead in helping to improve the opportunities for disadvantaged young people.”
Joanna Averley, further added:
“I am delighted to take up the post as CEO at LandAid. There has never been a more pressing time to focus on the needs of our young people. Working alongside committed individuals and partners from across the property industry I am looking forward to helping create resources and spaces that help improve young people’s chances in life. LandAid has the opportunity to extend its reach and impact over the coming years.” |
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 CBRE’s City and West End Agency teams were in training this week, in preparation for the CBRE Property Peak Challenge at the Heron Tower on Thursday 23 February in aid of LandAid and The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors.
In readiness for the big day – involving racing up the Bishopgate tower’s gruelling 888 steps - the agents tackled the slightly more modest heights of CBRE’s own staircase in its Henrietta Place offices.
Executive Director Dan Roberts, who works with Heron International on leasing the City’s tallest tower said: “We’re hoping our prior knowledge of the building will give us an edge over our competitors, but just in case we also decided to give ourselves a small test run closer to home. 888 steps is quite a feat, but the prospect of the view from the top – and no doubt a glass of something to celebrate – should keep us going.”
Proceeds from the event will go jointly to LandAid and the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors. The challenge is being sponsored by CBRE, and supported by Estates Gazette. To sign up visit www.propertypeakchallenge.org
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 Dragons Den star, James Caan, today launched the auction of “Fat Bob”, a specially customised Harley-Davidson, in support of LandAid - the Property Industry charity that helps fund youth agencies around the country.
Speaking about the important work of the charity, as economic data this week showed more than 1m young people were out of work, Caan said: "LandAid is a fantastic organisation that provides some valuable facilities and projects in the UK for young people and I am delighted to be able to support this appeal. The latest unemployment figures out this week reinforces how vital it is for the private sector, government and other organisations to invest in our young people and provide them with the essential skills they need to get back into work or start their own businesses.”
Bidding on the Harley, a 2010 FXDF Dyna, which is the only one of its kind in Europe and valued at over £20,000, started today through the website of the Property Industry’s Networking Forum, Movers & Shakers (www.moversandshakers.uk). It was donated by Harley Davidson with the support of Caan and private equity company Hamilton Bradshaw.
PLACE YOUR BID!
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