The Progress 1000: Mayor Sadiq Khan leads the Evening Standard’s list of London’s most influential people
Sadiq Khan was today named the most influential person in London as the new Mayor topped the Evening Standard’s list celebrating progress and innovators.
“There are so many inspiring, dedicated and heroic people on the Progress 1000 list. From giants of industry and successful entrepreneurs, to sporting heroes and Olympic medalists.
From artists, fashion designers and film-makers, to people who run charities that transform people’s lives. I’d like to congratulate them all – they are the living proof that London is leading the world in every field of human endeavour.”
The list – featuring leaders from the fields of music, business, science and technology

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cypriots included in the Evening Standard Progress 1000. The most influential people in London.

Demis Hassabis

Google DeepMind

Demis Hassabis is a game developer turned neuroscientist turned artificial intelligence entrepreneur. His London-based company, DeepMind, was acquired by Google.

When he was 13, he had a sky-high Elo rating which made him the second-best player under age 14 in the world.

When Hassabis was 17, he was an avid video game designer and creator. He co-programmed Theme Park, a game that would go on to sell millions of copies. Later, he got his PhD in cognitive neuroscience. He has also won the Mind Sports Olympiad five times. Demis Grandparents are from Famagusta in Cyprus.

 

Sophia Neophitou-Apostolou

Stylist

London’s own super stylist and the secret weapon of a host of fashion brands, Neophitou-Apostolou has an extensive client list and an action-packed schedule. She is the creative force behind the annual Victoria’s Secret show and works closely with designers Antonio Berardi, Elie Saab and Roland Mouret. She is also editor-in-chief of cult fashion bible 10 Magazine, president of the British Fashion Council’s reputation pillar and chair of the BFC press committee. Sophia’s Father is from Morphou and Mother from Episkopion.

Ivan Gazidis  

Chief executive, Arsenal

The Gunners have risen up the Forbes rich list with Gazidis at the helm — Arsenal are now officially the fifth most valuable football club on the planet. Some fans might trade economic security for a Premier League title or two but it cannot be doubted that he has ensured a sound financial future for the club. He is also a board member of the European Club Association. Ivan Gazidis maternal Grandmother is from Cyprus.

Christian and Nick Candy

Developers

Despite its twists and turns, life is still sweet for Christian and Nick Candy. The siblings are behind a long list of property goldmines, including One Hyde Park, London’s most exclusive luxury residences, and Christian is in the process of turning a Regent’s Park terrace into a capacious family mansion. The brothers once borrowed £6,000 from their grandmother to set up their business, and are now worth more than £1 billion. Now that’s an impressive growth rate. The Candy brothers mother is from Cyprus.

Lord Adonis

Chair, National Infrastructure Commission and Crossrail 2

The former Labour transport secretary’s expertise and intellect are admired across the political spectrum. Now a cross-bench peer, he was tipped as Khan’s deputy for transport but didn’t want to give up his other jobs. Still a key player in the capital’s future as chair of Crossrail 2, he has warned London will grind to a halt without it. Lord Adonis Father is from Yialoussa in Cyprus.

Tracey Emin

Artist

Emin recently announced that she was taking a year’s break, not from art but from the hubbub and paraphernalia around it. No shows, interviews, openings of her work or planning meetings, just art-making. And no wonder she’s tired: two shows, in Hong Kong and New York, opened in March and May. And before disappearing into sabbatical land, she made a limited-edition print for Team GB at the Olympics. Emin also announced she had married a stone in France earlier in the year. Tracey’s father is from Cyprus.

Kristina Kyriacou

Media adviser to Prince Charles

She started off as the secret weapon behind showbiz royalty, so it’s no wonder that Kyriacou moved on to actual royalty, becoming the formidable representative of the Prince of Wales in 2014. After two years as one of Clarence House’s most impressive communications secretaries, she stood down from the official post in the summer but continues to serve as an adviser. Kristina’s parents are from Cyprus.