London retains ranking for Best Business City in Europe for the 22nd year running!

LONDON, October 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

The UK Capital Tops an Impressive Six out of Twelve Categories in Cushman and Wakefield European Cities Monitor 2011

London has once again been voted Best Business City in Europe according to a survey by global property consultant Cushman & Wakefield. London & Partners, the Mayor of London's official promotional agency for the capital, today welcomed the results, which marked the 22^nd time that London has received the accolade.

The UK capital led the way in six of the twelve major rankings, also topping the polls as best city for; qualified staff, easy access to markets, telecommunications, external transport links, internal transport, languages spoken and city improvement. London was also ranked as European city doing the most to promote itself.

Now in its 22^nd year, the Monitor is based on interviews with board directors in charge of location for the 501 largest companies in Europe.  It positions 36 cities against specific criteria.

Most notably, London was ranked first in the top four factors for companies deciding where to locate or relocate their business; 'easy access to markets and clients' (60% of respondents cited this as being essential), 'availability of quality staff' (53%), 'quality of telecommunications' (52%) and 'transport links' (42%).

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said:
'This confirms our belief that London is the best European - if not global - city in which to do business.  Despite the current challenging economic climate, London remains a resilient and strong base for businesses of all sectors to operate in, and quite simply, the best big city on earth.'

Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners added;

'Since our establishment in April of this year, London & Partners has continued to pave the way for international companies looking to expand or set up in the UK capital, and we're delighted that the report also recognises our work in promoting London as the best city in the world to live, study and invest.

Despite this on-going success, we cannot rest on our laurels, and London & Partners is dedicated to continuing this good work to ensure that London retains its status as Europe's principal business and financial hub."

Click through to read the full press release and the London & Partners' Foreign Direct Investment 2010-2011 Review.

SOURCE London & Partners