BA High Life: Welcome to tomorrow’s London

Back in May, I was asked to take part in a panel on the future of London by British Airways’ magazine High Life, hosted by Will Self. Their pitch?

“With foreign money, companies and people flowing into London like never before, the city has become a global hub and the future has never looked brighter. But what does that future hold in terms of infrastructure, architecture, art, the arts, fashion, food etc, High Life hosts a panel discussion about the future we want to build for London, and predicts what lies ahead for our ever-evolving, ever-inventive city.”

We all convened at The Shard, a suitable emblem of London’s evolution, and debated the topic in hand with some fervour, chaired by Mr Self. My fellow panellists were Jamal Edwards, founder of SB.tv, Kathryn Parsons, co-founder of Decoded, Deyan Sudjic, director of the Design Museum, architect Pernilla Ohrstedt, Russell Norman, restaurateur and owner of Polpo, Irvine Sellar, developer of The Shard and Mark Jones, Editorial director at Cedar Communications.

You read extracts here, as well as listen to the podcast that was recorded at the time. (And check out a very serious photo of myself, Russell and Jamal.)