(13 January 2008)

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, today welcomed the second team of London Leaders who will each pledge to make London more liveable now and in the future. The 16 London Leaders come from all walks of life and include Vijay Amin, Managing Director of Abi Associates - a leading business development organisation, Wayne Hemingway MBE, founder of Hemingway Design; Chantal Cooke, Founder, Passion for the Planet Radio and Steve Waggott, Group Chief Executive of Charlton Athletic Football Club.

Each London Leader will undertake a campaign over the next year to champion ‘sustainability’, which could range from boardroom to community action. The London Leaders programme is run by the London Sustainable Development Commission, which is supported by the Mayor. London Leaders are chosen by the Commission for their ability to inspire, motivate and innovate in their chosen field of knowledge or passion.

The first team of London Leaders have successfully completed a range of projects over their 'term of office', from retrofitting green roofs, publishing a community cookbook, working with London TV/film industries to promote energy efficiency and training young refugee leaders in environmental issues.

The Mayor said: ‘This year’s team of London Leaders have a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference to our city and I look forward to seeing what they will achieve in 2009. Inspirational individuals can really help to galvanise communities and organisations to make changes for the better and help create a more liveable, pleasant city now and for future generations.’

Paul de Zylva, Acting Chair, London Sustainable Development Commission: ‘When people ask me what sustainable development means I point to our London Leaders. They make it real by demonstrating change that makes London a better place to live now and helps tackle bigger issues such as climate change. Our first Leaders put sustainable thinking into practice and I now welcome our new Leaders who will bring it alive in their own way.’

More information on the London Leaders programme including the achievements of the first team of London Leaders, visit: www.londonsdc.org