The Art of Design Issue 31 2018 | Page 58

58 an annual survey of global investors from will play an important role in shaping the When asked how Brexit could affect the around the world, and this year London nation’s identity. Businesses like II BY IV Architecture and Design sector, the founder was reaffirmed as the most attractive DESIGN which are operated by vision and and president of the SBID, Dr. Vanessa European city for foreign investors, despite intelligent maneuvering have the potential Brady, OBE spoke positively, “Great Britain Brexit. to thrive. an established history; we have great They may be few but a string of companies Menchions and Rushbrook are well aware schools and education, are leaders in have announced plans to expand in the UK. of the uncertainty that the UK is facing right is an island with favorable tax rates and architecture, fashion and design; London now, “No one can predict exactly how Brexit is a cosmopolitan city with much to offer Qatar recently said it would invest an will affect the UK but we are confident including great nightlife and iconic cultural additional £5bn into UK infrastructure over in London’s history as a global center for destinations…overseas investors love the next three to five years. design, arts and culture”. Menchions goes coming to London. We are not concerned [with] how Brexit will on to say, “it is doubtful that overnight the (The Qataris have already invested more forward thinking attitude that has propelled than £35bn to £40bn in UK markets). London to the fore front of the international affect our identity.” community will erode”. The company behind Snapchat has A similar sentiment is echoed by established international headquarters in The issue of Brexit remains controversial London and Partners’, Senior Business London, similarly Google has submitted and divisive, at the moment, nothing is Development Manager, Ted Edwards “on plans to build a new purpose-built certain and there are two sides to the story. the whole we’re not seeing a significant 11-storey London headquarters which When it comes down to it, the only thing decline in appetite to invest in London and will be longer than the Shard is tall and that is certain is moving forward business in we’re confident that London’s fundamental Apple’s plans to create new headquarters the UK will be far from usual. offer remains unchanged, especially for the at London’s Battersea Power plant are well creative industries”. underway. www.iibyiv.com www.sbid.org www.londonandpartners.com Aligning with Brady’s and Edwards’s As the UK creates a new position on the comments, EY (Ernst & Young) conducts world stage its arts and creative industries