BCO 2013: Crown Estate chairman Sir Stuart Hampson has warned that government’s failure to move quickly on infrastructure decisions was putting London’s status as a leading global city at risk.
Speaking at the BCO conference in Madrid, he said: “London is a winning card for the UK. Politicians instinctively shy away from beingseen to favour London. But economic growth depends on making the most of you natural resources. In London we have a great international city.”
He said ministers might find it difficult in being seen to favour bankers, which he couldn’t blame them for, but added that London’s place as a world financial centre needed to be maintained.
He also praised London as a cultural centre and a great place to visit and to live.
“Where we fall down is London as a convenient place to get to, he added. “London needs a better airport.”
With the Crown expected shortly to announce Canadian investor Oxford Properties as its partner for the £450m redevelopment of St James’s Market, SW1, Hampton said: “Our brave new world depends on brave decisions by government and by the property sector. Government fails to take these decisions in a way business would.”
Listen to an interview with Hampton below. Alternatively, download the podcast by clicking here, or head to Estates Gazette’s iTunes channel.
damian.wild@estatesgazette.com
