Tonight:
9°c
Who do you think is an Influential?
06.10.08
So, there they are: The 1000 people who, our panel say, have the greatest influence on the life of this great city.
The list embraces the great, the good and the little known but no less worthy in categories as diverse as music and health, food and film, and politics and sport.
It's not simply a list of the richest, most powerful or most famous residents - although many of the names will be familiar.
But these, our panel says, are the ones whose influence matters; the people who lead where others follow.
Do you agree with the list? We want you to join the debate and tell us who you think should join the ranks of the Influentials.
Use the reader comment form below to tell us what you think and make your nominations.
Reader views (17)
I'm interested as to how you define influential. As CEO of AREF, the Association of Real Estate Funds, representing over £25bn of UK Real Estate Funds I would consider myself to be as, or even more influential than many, if not most of the property names on the list . AREF is the voice of unlisted real estate held in managed pension funds, property unit trusts and limited partnerships. We lobby government, the EU and Treasury to improve the tax status of the UK for real estate investment (i.e. make it the global domicile of choice) and promote best practice on governance and transparency . We are also in close dialogue with the FSA and the Bank of England on matters of financial stability, sector lending and regulatory change. Can I nominate myself?
- Rachel Mcisaac, London, UK
Alan Rickman! Where is Alan Rickman???
- Ann, Huntsville, Alabama, USA
PLEASE get ALAN RICKMAN on this list. His exclusion is totally unacceptable.
- Linda Mcclellan, NC, USA
Alan Rickman Theatre and Film.
- Ire, arg
where is martha lane fox on this list? she is extremely inflential to women, to start ups and now with her multitude of charitable interests
- Helena, london
Humphrey Lyttleton for his contribution to jazz and making us laugh at his double entendres in the BBC radio 4 programme I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.
- Donald Knox-Richards, Liverpool. UK
Signor Brian Paddick is man who gets things done in London
- Don Liberali, Little Sicily, UK
I moved to London this time last year, and moved out again at the beginning of this year. Before I moved up there, one of the few people I was aware of as specifically "Londoners" and not national level figures was Brian Paddick—openly gay, liberal and tolerant approach to drugs policy and respected within the many diverse communities of the city.
While I was there I had the chance to meet him, and was even more impressed. He has to count as an influential Londoner, and definitely had and influence on the city I lived in. Watching from the sidelines, I wish him luck this year, it'd be great to see him do well.
- Matgb, Brighouse, West Yorks
Brian Paddick. The only mayoral contender against Ken Livingstone who has the experience of managing major services in London and with the experience of managing large numbers of people and budgets. Essentially THE serious candidate for Britain's most powerful elected office, which needs to be in serious hands.
- Duncan Borrowman, Bexley, England
I nominate Brian Paddick, whose intelligent, innovative approach to policing in Brixton was a real trailblazer for cutting crime and building support for the police across the community – as was he personally, showing out gay people can get ahead in the police force today.
And influential these days in making Londoners close their eyes in pain at the thought of trusting Ken or Boris, of course.
- Alex Wilcock, London, UK
I think John Stefanidis, the interior designer and architect should be up there. He has influenced most of the interior design we see all around the world today with his vibrant and eclectic style
- Harriet, London
I nominate Jeremy Clarkson, simply because he is Jeremy Clarkson.
- Ambreen, London, England
I nominate Kunle Abidakun - Publisher and Editor in chief Kunle Abidakun of Suave magazine an online business and lifestyle magazine for young professionals.
Mr Abidakun works with influential people from the world of business and politics to offer employment opportunities to the those who are often not exposed to such chances in their every day life.
He is certainly someone to watch out for in 2008.
- Adeyinka Oladimeji, London
I vote for Brian Sewell - the most famous, feared and sharpest art critic in the country.
- Hannah, Kentish Town
I nominate Russell Brand. Surely the most powerful man in comedy at the moment - he's mastered stand-up, radio, TV and is about to star in several films - including the new St Trinians movie. Outstanding
- Charles, Richmond
Brian Barwick - given the outcry and anguish following England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 this man clearly has the health and morale of the nation in his hands. He had better get the right man for the job this time.
- James, Slough
I propose my son, contemporary artist Oliver Clegg. He seems to be the artist to watch in London at present.
- Jeremy Clegg, Farnham, England
