Pat Brown
- Blogs
Sir Simon Milton
Yesterday, on a sunny and hot Monday afternoon I walked round New York’s Meatpacking district and recounted the time ten years ago when I enticed a rather reticent group to dine at Florent; one of the few shining beacons amongst the then edgy, dirty streets, only just on the cusp ...
- Blogs
An end of an era, but not an ethos
It is 25 years to the day since the Greater London Council was abolished. It coincides with the last day of CABE in its current form and the abolition or change to other bodies.
BlogsGlobal disasters need global teamwork
Global disasters were already at the forefront of my mind last night as I made my way to the Geffrye Museum for the opening of its timely exhibition – ‘At home in Japan: beyond the minimal house’.
BlogsWalking wallets need worthy destinations
Despite what some people think, I rarely go shopping. That is, I rarely set out to go shopping. But I do like to ‘mooch’ and along the way enjoy serendipitous finds that often translate into purchases.
- Blogs
548 sleeps to go. Get excited. Get involved.
There’s just 548 sleeps – or 18 months – to the start of the London 2012 Games. It seems incredible that the intervening years since scooping the prize on 6 July 2005 have flown so quickly,
- Blogs
Food and finance: markets in the twin city
When New York’s new Governor Coumo gave his inaugural ‘state of the state’ speech earlier this month, he candidly set out the parlous state that the ‘Empire State’ is indeed in. A $10bn budget deficit means UK-style cuts, pay freezes and job losses, piling more misery on that already meted ...
BlogsWishes and kisses: New Year at the crossroads of the world
I was promised a great view, but I didn’t expect to be at the epicentre of the crossroads of the world. Yet there I was, seeing in 2011 from the best vantage point possible in New York City’s luminous Times Square, as crowds counted down to midnight and sang along ...
BlogsStaying power stands the test of time
As ever, as we teeter on the brink of a new year, my mind goes back over the past year’s events. My personal review will not be of interest to you, dear reader, but suffice to say, the thing that is upper most in my mind is that it has ...
BlogsUK talent on track for gold
I know an awful lot of MAMILs. That was my conclusion when given the opportunity to take a small group around the Velo in the Olympic Park, and I started to speculate on who to invite.
- Blogs
No need for Shard-enfreude
My new pastime is Shard Watch. I am fascinated by the speed of its ascent, etching the famous back-of-a-menu sketch on to the sky.
- Blogs
Urban facelifts need different plastic surgeons
Being a bridge between the public and private sector is rather like living in the twilight zone. I am not in one camp or another, but focused on the sweet spot that will help move things forward in a productive way.
- Blogs
Stewardship and the City
Sometimes London reminds me of that game where you have to recall the items that have been removed from a tray; what was there before?
BlogsBig Apple offers perfect antidote to CSR blues
Just back from a week in New York, to catch up with the city and get a fix of ‘Big Apple juice’, an antidote to the CSR blues. I’m always ‘up’ after a trip.
