London Achieves Record Status at the "fDI Intelligence European Cities & Regions of the Future Awards" 2012/13

LONDON, February 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

London has secured eight of the top places at the "fDi Intelligence European Cities & Regions of the Future Awards", to be awarded at MIPIM in Cannes.

The highly coveted and contested "European Cities of the Future" award topped a stunning portfolio of awards highlighting London's Human Resources; Infrastructure and Business Friendliness. Other categories in which London placed within the top five include Economic Potential and FDI Strategy and within the top ten for Quality of Living.

The awards will be presented by fDi Magazine Editor Courtney Fingar in March at the MIPIM property forum in Cannes. The event marks the start of the spring season of international investment events and serves as a barometer for the global real estate sector and the general economic climate. fDi Intelligence will recognise its winners at the forum at an awards breakfast briefing on Wednesday 7 March. The ceremony celebrates the success of European cities and regions ranked with the best prospects for inward investment, economic development and business expansion.

Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners, the official promotional organisation for the capital, said:

"The last year has been an exciting time for foreign direct investment in London. We have seen rapid expansion of Tech City, putting the city at the forefront of digital innovation and a wealth of businesses from across the globe choosing London as their home. At London & Partners we are committed to growing London as the world capital of business by assisting and supporting overseas companies to move to London and help create an even stronger business environment for the capital."

Stuart Fraser, London & Partners Board Member and Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, said:

"These prestigious awards are recognition that London remains the leading city of the future. Even though 2012 will mark the culmination of the biggest project undertaken in the capital in recent memory - the London Olympics and Paralympic Games - our focus is already turning to legacy and ensuring other infrastructure projects such as Crossrail are delivered on time and as planned. London is the most international city in the world and has many great strengths - from lifestyle to business - that ensures it will remain a world leading city to live, work and visit for the foreseeable future."

MIPIM, the world's foremost real estate market, brings together the most influential players from all major international property markets, offering unrivalled access to the greatest number of high-calibre development projects worldwide. More than just an exhibition space for top professionals, MIPIM provides a robust platform for business growth through partnerships, project assessment and market intelligence. MIPIM fosters innovation by hosting forward-thinking events that provide beneficial, actionable insights on future trends in real estate.

Notes to Editors:

fDi Intelligence provides an up-to-date image of the ever-changing global investment map. fDi Magazine is a central part of the fDi Intelligence portfolio and is published by The Financial Times Limited. Now in its 11th year, fDi Magazine is firmly established as the leading title for the business of globalisation.

fDi Cities and Regions of the Future shortlists were created from an independent collection of data by fDi Benchmark across 223 European cities and 142 European regions. This information was set under six categories: economic potential, human resources, cost effectiveness, quality of life, infrastructure and business friendliness and FDI promotion strategy.

http://www.fdiintelligence.com/Events/MIPIM-2012

About London & Partners

London & Partners is the official promotional organisation for London. We attract and deliver value to business, students and visitors. London & Partners is a not-for-profit organisation, funded by the Mayor of London and a network of commercial partners.

Our remit is to drive leisure and business visitors as well as bidding to secure major events in London, to unlock the city for overseas businesses who want to set up or expand in London and to promote the capital's world class universities to international students.

Our intention is to work in partnership with organisations in London and across the world to deliver our goal - that London be globally recognised as the best big city on earth.

For more information visit http://www.londonandpartners.com