This week, The London Standard is unveiling The Standard 100, a list of the top hundred men and women shaping the capital in 2024.
The line-up covers a range of categories and sectors from politics and media through art, music, food, to science and medicine.
Today the Standard can reveal those named in the categories for Politics, Security, Knife Crime, Transport and Charity.
This list includes a mix of influential politicians, Britain’s most senior police officer, the official tasked with ensuring that London’s commute runs smoothly and the inspirational people behind some of London’s most important charities.
It includes Rachel Reeves, fresh from making history as the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer to deliver a Budget.
Also there is Sadiq Khan, who said it was “the honour of my life to serve the city that I love” when he won a landmark third successive term in May as Mayor of London. Among his key priorities for his third and final term are the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street and the reduction of knife crime.
A number of people vital to helping Khan tackle the scourge of knife crime are also on the list.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has vowed to step up efforts to “break the culture of people carrying knives”, while mother and daughter duo Monique and Eliza Rebeiro are working to lead young people away from crime through their charity Lives, not Knives.
Trauma surgeon Martin Griffiths set up the first hospital ward-based violence reduction service at the Royal London Hospital after coming face to face with the shocking reality of knife crime.
In the transport section are Volt’s James and Lyle Metcalfe, the brothers who helped put e-bikes on the map, and TfL’s Andy Lord - in charge of the “the biggest public transport authority in the world.”
And also on the list are the charity leaders who have inspired Londoners to dig deep and help people in need at home and abroad.
They include Four Weddings and a Funeral screenwriter Richard Curtis, who helped co-found Comic Relief which has raised over £1 billion for good causes.
Also there are Joyclen Buffong, the founder of Rise 365 who has devoted her life to helping young people in Hackney and Justin Byam Shaw and Charlotte Hill, from food redistribution charity The Felix Project, which last year gave out the equivalent of 32 million meals to people across every London borough.
Politics
Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health
The thoughtful and articulate young MP for Ilford North is Labour’s most assured communicator and has long been touted as their coming man. Londoners are looking to him to cut waiting times and restore service levels in our hospitals and surgeries.
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Despite higher taxes on capital gains and employer National Insurance, the lasting message in Rachel Reeves’ Budget was hope, projecting steady growth for the economy (and a slow decline in inflation).
The capital may have to tighten its belt in the coming years — particularly those who like a glass of wine after work.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
There is no sign of Khan coasting through his third and final term. His recent announcement that Oxford Street is to be fully pedestrianised could transform this world-famous but grubby shopping hub.
He wants new train routes across London to cope with our fast-expanding city, and has acted on free school meals, too. Now, he needs to tackle knife crime.
Justine Simons, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries
Simons has played a central role in the cultural transformation of London for two decades.
A key player in the 2012 Olympics, she is head of the capital’s Investment Strategy for the Creative Industries, covering film, fashion, games and design, growing their influence on the world stage.
Transport
James and Lyle Metcalfe, Founders of Volt
Love them or loathe them, Volt electric bikes have transformed commuting for many Londoners.
They go faster than taxis and make it cool to cycle. (But congratulations to Brent Council for getting tough on abandoned bikes and reducing the pavement mayhem.)
Andy Lord, Commissioner, Transport for London
Unions permitting, your commute is in the Lord’s hands.
He has overseen the successful launch of the Elizabeth Line and the Bank station upgrade, as well as the plans for new bus provision in outer London and the delivery of new cycle ways, which are transforming our roads.
Security
Sir Mark Rowley, Metropolitan Police Commissioner
More than a year after Louise Casey’s damning report and his own appointment, Rowley still has much to do to turn around the culture and conduct of the Met. We all need him to succeed.
Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5
McCallum started his career as an M15 officer focused on Northern Ireland-related terrorism.
Now it’s his job to keep us safe from terrorists and rogue governments everywhere.
Knife crime
Monique and Eliza Rebeiro, Lives not Knives
Mother and daughter duo Monique and Eliza Rebeiro are the brains behind one of our most inspiring anti-knife crime charities: Lives not Knives.
They offer summer camps for children from Croydon including one-to-one mentoring for nine to 14-year-olds, working to address knife crime, serious youth violence and school exclusions.
Martin Griffiths, Trauma surgeon
The lead surgeon at the trauma unit of the Royal London Hospital, Griffiths is London’s first NHS clinical director for violence reduction, a role he now holds nationally.
Charity
Richard Curtis and Samir Patel, Comic Relief
The man who made Notting Hill world famous is also the co-founder of the UK’s best known charity. CEO Samir Patel steered the charity through Covid.
The London Standard is proud to partner with Comic Relief on our Christmas campaign again in 2024.
Joyclen Buffong, Founder, Rise 365
Buffong has been called the Mother Teresa of Hackney. A former youth worker, she has devoted her life to helping young people on the Kingsmead Estate.
Justin Byam Shaw and Charlotte Hill, The Felix Project
The London Standard has championed The Felix Project food redistribution charity since its launch in 2016.
Founded by Justin and Jane Byam Shaw, today Charlotte Hill is its inspirational leader.
Ben Elliot, Founder, Quintessentially Foundation
Elliot’s foundation has raised millions for London charities and he is the self-described “relentless bossy f***er” who makes it happen.
David Cohen, Campaigns Editor, The London Standard
Humble brag incoming: few newspapers in the world can rival the campaigning of The London Standard, which Cohen has overseen for the past 15 years. These have raised over £55m.
Read the rest of our 100 Power List in the following sectors:
Music, art, culture, stage, screen and podcasts
