The final account

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What are topping out ceremonies like over the Channel? Well cold if you were over in Paris last week, where there were howling winds and snow storms. They are also very long, according to one industry figure we spoke to this week who attended a recent one. “They talk for hours and then have a big dinner for all the workers,” recounts the figure, who as a non-French speaker had to employ a translator in order to converse with a fellow female diner. He subsequently discovered that his neighbour turned out to be a senior political figure. He decided to tactfully ask whether there were still any troubles in the French capital, such as attacks on cars. “Oh those were only old wrecks that were burnt,” came the swift reply to his question.

Ken plots to expand his empire

Moving to the equally high echelons of power on this side of the Channel, Ken Livingstone has hit out at local authorities in the Thames Gateway who were “still trying to create industrial centres… despite the fact industry is never coming back”. The London Mayor said last week at the Thames Gateway Forum that 6% of jobs in the region were in industry and this would slip to 3% in 20 years. Warming to one of his favourite themes, Livingstone said authorities should instead be improving links to China. So committed is he to promoting London as the “first port of call” for Chinese firms, he will be setting an up a Mayor of London’s office in Beijing.

Team spirit (and sense of sacrifice)

We hear the offices of Gleeds have taken on a nautical theme as the management team are spending an anxious few days watching the progress of their sponsored yacht as she takes on all comers in the Global ARC (Atlantic Rally Cruisers) challenge racing from Gran Canaria to St Lucia.

The 40ft Gleeds boat named Lancelot is currently leading a fleet of 250 boats and is being tracked hourly by the managing partners on the internet. They have contact with the boat skipper in true Ellen McArthur style as it crosses choppy seas in the Atlantic and apparently are on hand to give sailing tips if needed. Land ahoy! should happen today (Friday).

The idea for the sponsorship came up at this year’s Little Britain event and Gleeds is hoping for a place on the winners rostrum at next year’s event if Lancelot comes first across the line in the Caribbean. Allegedly there is no shortage of partners willing to welcome the boat home in the St Lucian sunshine if they are successful. A nice respite from the current cold snap perhaps.

Over excitement

Two weeks ago we got a little over excited when we heard that some Franklin + Andrews staffers would be transferring from their central London HQ to the offices of parent Mott MacDonald in Croydon. Our story mistakenly implied the move would be forced when it is in fact optional. Apologies.