Geordie Greig, Editor of the London Evening Standard, says, “London’s influence stems from the extraordinary people who live and work here, so many being world-beaters in their field. They don’t just lead in their field, they change it. And they are too eclectic to pigeon hole. There are entrepreneurs and eccentrics, sports heroes and moneymen, poets and rock stars. Many are not only influential in Britain, but also have global reputations. We are proud to celebrate them.”
A year really is a long time in Politics. The general election has naturally had a big impact on this year’s list. Gordon Brown’s election defeat sees him fall off the list, along with many of his former cabinet colleagues, including Jack Straw and Lord Mandelson whose controversial memoirs might finally have ruled out one final comeback (although he is still one of London’s Most Invited). David Milliband does retain a place on the list alongside his brother despite losing the leadership contest, as do members of the new shadow front bench, including Yvette Cooper, Alan Johnson and a new entry for Diane Abbott after her leadership battle. However the list is dominated by the new government, led by David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Those new to the list this year include Home Secretary Theresa May, Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander, and rising star Chuka Umunna.
Victoria Beckham’s growing influence on the Fashion world is acknowledged with a place in the category for the first time. Joining her are models Lara Stone and Rosie Huntington-Whitely, stylist Edward Enninful, and Chloe Green, who at only 19 is an up and coming fashionista with the perfect mentor in her father Sir Philip. Samantha Cameron, who was last year included for her role as Creative Director at Smythson, this year retains her place for her work promoting designers for the British Fashion Council.
A new generation of theatre stars have made their names this year. Benedict Cumberbatch has become one of the UK’s most versatile leading men, leading an acclaimed cast in a Terrance Rattigan revival before becoming television’s latest Sherlock Holmes. Sheridan Smith has been a huge success as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, and Ben Whishaw jumps from the film category (where he was listed last year) to theatre after his much vaunted performances in Cock at the Royal Court and The Pride on Broadway. Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire are also new to the list after adding the Live Nation venues to their Ambassador Theatre Group.
Edgar Wright, Gemma Arterton and Carey Mulligan are just some of the British talents in Film gaining increasing recognition across the pond. Arterton’s role in Tamara Drewe proved her acting credentials; Wright has followed up his cult British successes with Scott Pilgrim Vs the World and the screenplay for Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson’s first Tintin movie, while Mulligan received universal acclaim for An Education. Christopher Nolan is recognised for the huge success of Inception, and Jane Goldman makes the list after penning the surprise superhero movie, Kick-Ass. Sienna Miller falls off the list after a quiet year in 2010.
His wife Jane Goldman is on the rise, but Jonathan Ross falls off the Media list this year after quitting the BBC. Personnel changes at the top of newspapers and broadcast outlets account for many of the new entries this year. David Abraham at Channel 4 is the new safe pair of hands charged with finding a replacement for Big Brother, while Gwyneth Williams has the difficult task of following Mark Damazar as Radio 4 Controller. Tony Gallagher, the battle hardened editor of the Daily Telegraph, is another new entry, after keeping up the pressure on government following the expenses scandal by claiming the scalp of David Laws. Mark Kleinman is mentioned for his seamless move from newspapers to 24 hour news as City Editor of Sky News, and Steve Wright for boosting the ratings at Radio 2 with his popular afternoon show.
As 2012 moves ever closer, the 1000 for the first time includes a separate Olympics category. As World and European heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis is a natural poster girl for the London games, and one of the UK’s brightest medal prospects. Andy Altman has the essential task of ensuring a successful Olympic legacy, and it is Baroness Ford who will decide whether West Ham or Spurs will be the future tenants of the Olympic stadium.
In Tycoons and Retailers, Sir Stuart Rose is joined this year by Marks & Spencer’s new Chief Executive Marc Bolland. Other new names this year include Philip Clarke, who has the difficult job of taking over Tesco when Sir Terry Leahy departs, Viscountess Astor (Samantha Cameron’s mother), whose successful retail brand, OKA, opened a new flagship store in 2010, and Bob Dudley, thrown into the spotlight at BP after the oil spill cost Tony Hayward his job.
Maya Arulpragasm (MIA), Marcus Mumford, Taio Cruz and Mark Ronson are all high profile new entries to the Rock & Pop category, alongside the veteran Bryan Ferry¸ whose Roxy Music are touring next year to mark their 40th anniversary.
New entries in the New Media world include Oliver Schusser, the mastermind behind Apple’s dominance of the download market. Joanna Shields, who last year was included when Chief Executive of Shine Online, has now been recruited by Mark Zuckerberg as European sales Vice President of Facebook. The rise of 3D is also acknowledged, with the inclusion this year of Brian Lenz, the man putting 3D TV in your living room for BSkyB. Julian Assange, the Editor-in-Chief of Wikileaks, is recognised, as are Sam and Dan Houser, co-founders of Rockstar Games.
For the first time, two Qataris are listed in the Property category. Sheik Abdullah bin Saud Al-Thani is the Governor of the Qatar Central Bank, and the banker responsible for backing The Shard. The Emir of the State of Qatar this year snapped up Harrods for £1.5billion, and also owns the Chelsea Barracks site. On his recent state visit to the UK he expressed an interest in buying Christie’s.
The 24 categories represented in the magazine, out on 17th November are: Running London, New Media, The City, Tycoons and Retailers, Art & Design, Foodies, Classical Music, Pop & Rock, Politics, Fashion, Literati, Property, Film, Theatre (including Dance), Law, Environment, Health, Education, Sport, Media, Gatekeepers & Fixers, Faith and Philanthropy, Most Invited and Olympics.
The London Evening Standard used a panel of specialist contributors – both from the paper and externally to compile the list.
