Charles Begley, Chief Executive of the City Property Association (“CPA”), has been awarded Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his contribution to the built environment in the Square Mile over the past decade.
The CPA, which was founded in 1904, represents over 170 of the leading companies investing and developing in the City. The organisation has played a key role in supporting the ambitions of the City Corporation, which is aiming to deliver a minimum of 1.2m sqm new Grade A office space by 2040 to meet future demand for high-quality and sustainable commercial floorspace in the Square Mile, driving economic growth.
Charles has been Chief Executive of the CPA since 2014, during which time the City has cemented its position as the preeminent destination for business and leisure. 678,000 people now work in the Square Mile, a 25% increase on pre-pandemic levels. The period has also seen the completion of several new skyscrapers, with more than a dozen more in the pipeline, including 1 Undershaft which will become the UK’s joint tallest building.
The CPA has also advocated for improvements to the Square Mile’s public realm and transport infrastructure, and has championed the development of green skills and the next generation of built environment professionals, with Charles serving as Deputy Chair of the City Corporation’s Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce for the past two years.
Having been nominated by the City Corporation’s Court of Common Council, Charles was awarded the Freedom of the City by the Lord Mayor of London Alastair King at a ceremony at Guildhall on Tuesday [25 February].
Charles Begley said: “It is a tremendous honour to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
“The history of the City is contained in its buildings and urban fabric. Over the past decade the property sector and City of London Corporation have worked closely together to ensure its unique character is retained as we deliver the world-class infrastructure, workspace and cultural and amenity space needed to attract businesses and visitors to the Square Mile and support its position on the global stage.
“I would like to thank CPA members for their continued support and look forward to working in partnership to ensure the City’s ongoing success.”
Lord Mayor of the City of London Alastair King said:
“The City of London is both the historic heart of the capital and a world-leading business district, where growth and heritage are celebrated to define what is unique about the area.
“Through his and the City Property Association’s longstanding contributions to the Square Mile’s built environment and our own City Plan, Charles has helped to ensure that the City will remain a global magnet for businesses and residents, visitors, and workers alike, for decades to come. His freedom is thoroughly deserved.”
