The Power 1000: artists, authors, designers, entrepreneurs and politicians gather to celebrate the capital's Most Influential

 
20 September 2013

More than a thousand of the capital’s great and good packed Battersea Power Station for a party to celebrate the unveiling of the Evening Standard’s Power 1000: London’s Most Influential.

Mayor Boris Johnson hailed London as “the most influential city in the world” in front of an audience which ranged from Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe to Marcus Setchell, the doctor who delivered Prince George — who at eight weeks old was named the most influential Londoner because of his impact on tourism and the future of the monarchy.

The brickwork interior of the former power station was a stunning backdrop for the party — the last major event at Battersea before the site is transformed into an £8 billion housing development.

The heir to the throne was placed above his father Prince William as well as Prince Harry, David Cameron and Boris Johnson as he topped the Evening Standard’s Power 1000 list.

Hundreds of influential Londoners from the worlds of arts, business, science, media and politics — including actress Olivia Colman, the Bishop of London, young entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Sir Paul Nurse and deputy mayor Kit Malthouse — attended the party last night.

The bash was the last major event to be held at the venue before it is transformed into a housing development.

Marcus Setchell, who is obstetrician and gynaecologist of the Queen’s household, hailed the young prince and said: “I’m sure he’ll grow into the role. The Power 1000 is a fantastic idea and it’s a fantastic opportunity to see Battersea Power Station in its last glory.”

Mr Johnson, who was named second most influential Londoner after coming first last year, took his fall from the top spot with good grace. The Mayor said: “It happens to us all in the end and it’s right, it’s a biological inevitability, I think it’s great that Prince George of Wales is now the most influential Londoner.

“London’s going through an amazing time and it’s symbolised by what’s going on here at Battersea Power Station.”

The evening included performances by rising star Andreya Triana, Senegalese singer and anti-female genital cutting activist Sister Fa and jazz band Tomorrow’s Warriors. Champagne by Jacquart was raised to speeches by the Mayor, Evening Standard editor Sarah Sands and Battersea Power Station Development Company chief executive Rob Tincknell.

Guests hailed the night an “amazing event”, saying London is “booming” and praising the talent emerging from the capital.

Broadchurch star Colman, 39, said she was “excited and a bit nervous” to be named one of London’s most influential, adding: “It’s very exciting, I hope they don’t get bored of me and it carries on. I’ve been a very lucky girl.”

Colman, originally from Norfolk, also told of her love of the capital: “I moved here 15 years ago fully expecting to hate it coming from the countryside but I love it.

“The Olympics made everyone so proud of who we are and I find London a very friendly city.”

Edwards, 23, founder of the hit YouTube music channel SB.TV, said he is still coming to terms with his success. He said: “When I got a message from Burberry saying we want you to sit in the front row with Alexa Chung at London Fashion Week I was like, what? I started when I was 17, I’m now 23, it keeps me striving for the next thing.

“I’m excited to be here, I’m excited about the new London Live tv station. London’s exciting, lots of different cultures, different things.”

Bishop of London Richard Chartres said: “London is amazingly buoyant, it’s the most exciting city in the world. I’ve had the fortune of seeing quite a few cities and no city is so vibrant.” Transport for London boss Sir Peter Hendy said: “London’s doing absolutely brilliantly, it’s the place to be.”

Nigel Howard

Campaigner Baroness Lawrence said: “I don’t think I want to live anywhere else but London, I think London’s the place to be.”

Chef and tv presenter Gizzi Erskine, 34, who was among those from the food world to be honoured, said: “I’ve been on the Power 1000 before and I’m really honoured to be back on it. It’s really nice to have Londoners recognised. “I always think London’s the best place in the world, London’s always on the cutting edge, it’s almost like it’s its own country. We lead so many things in the world so it should be recognised.”

Other notable guests included Deputy Mayor Kit Malthouse, Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy, National Theatre boss Sir Nicholas Hytner, Hampstead Theatre boss Edward Hall, The Wolseley restaurateur Jeremy King and Conde Nast magazines supremo Nicholas Coleridge.

A string of top journalists came including Financial Times editor Lionel Barber, Sun editor David Dinsmore, Mail on Sunday editor Geordie Greig, Sunday Times editor Martin Ivens, LBC presenter Nick Ferrari and Sky News presenter Adam Boulton.

Other partygoers included Arts Council boss Sir Peter Bazalgette, actress Cush Jumbo, Donmar Warehouse theatre producer Kate Pakenham, City investment boss Helena Morrissey, historian Antony Beevor, literary agents Ed Victor and Caroline Michel, Booker Prize organiser Ion Trewin, PR gurus Lord Black and Mark Bolland, Edelman adviser Anji Hunter, Quintessentially founder Ben Elliot, and economist Vicky Pryce, former wife of Chris Huhne.

From the world of technology came Made.com and lastminute.com founder Brent Hoberman, his Founders Forum co-founder Johnnie Goodwin, former No. 10 technology guru Rohan Silva, Yahoo app wunderkind Nick d’Aloisio and Wired editor David Rowan.

Aviva marketing supremo Amanda Mackenzie and advertising bosses Cilla Snowball of Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, James Murphy of Adam & Eve DDB and David Kershaw of M&C Saatchi were also at the party.

Click here to see the full Power 1000 list

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