FOREWORD
London is a global city – arguably now the world's
foremost business hub, of vital importance to the national,
European and global economies.
Long seen as 'neck and neck' with New York on a number
of key measures, developments in recent years suggest that London
is now in a class of its own. In terms of high‑skill,
knowledge‑based employment, Deloitte's work suggests that
in a period of just three years, London has added 235,000 new jobs
while equivalent employment in New York has marginally declined.
Latest official data suggests that London now employs approximately
1.7 million workers in highly skilled roles compared to 1.2 million
in New York, its nearest rival.
London's power to shape the business world also derives from
its ability to influence the preferences of others by appealing to,
attracting and developing leaders – a concept known as
'soft power'. Our work suggests that London is the most
global of global cities, with its business and
