Property bigwigs enjoy City views at LandAid’s annual summer party

 

Panoramic views over the rooftops of the City, one of the hottest days of the year and giant Connect 4 on the lawn – LandAid certainly didn’t disappoint with this year’s summer fundraiser at Cannon Bridge Roof Gardens. 

 

“She knows how to throw a great party,” Mike Slade, chief exec of Helical Bar, told The Capitalist, smiling at the charity’s chief exec Joanna Averley. 

 

Sure enough, the property world came out to mingle (and donate, through the silent auction). Israeli investor Gil Levy was holding court at the back of the party, “It’s too busy for me,” he told The Capitalist. 

 

“I prefer to stand back and watch.” He was chatting to Land Securities’ CEO Robert Noel and later CBRE executive director Peter Burns. “Aren’t you the highest paid exec at the CBRE?” he asked Burns. “No, I’m the tallest,” came the response. Quite.

 

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■ Being compared to George W Bush these days isn’t exactly a great confidence booster. Just ask Ed Davey. The Lib Dem secretary for energy and climate change had just finished giving his keynote speech at the CBI’s energy conference yesterday when chair Nick Butler, a visiting professor of King’s College, said the oration had reminded him of George Bush’s “mission accomplished” speech from 2003. Cue lots of laughing and a flummoxed look from Davey. In case you don’t remember, the speech is generally remembered as being a PR disaster, one Bush has since apologised for… a few times. Davey thanked Butler for the vote of confidence before pointing out there was still a way to go with reforms. It’s certainly one way to take the wind out of someone’s sails.

 

■ Mansion House, where the Lord Mayor and Mark Carney are often spotted, is welcoming some unusual visitors today. Seven work experience children from state schools in Essex, Newham, Kent, Bromley, Elephant and Castle and South Wales will be getting a tour of its hallowed halls. City law firm Judicium has been introducing the sprightly underlings to the sights and sounds of the City all week and today they’ll also be presenting pitches – Dragons’ Den-style – to millionaire Struq founder Sam Barnett. Ten years ago, Barnett attended the same state school as one of the work placement students, unbeknown to them. He’s now worth an estimated £40m, so let’s hope the kids listen to his advice.