Healey & Baker - the European arm of Cushman & Wakefield- questioned executives from 500 international businesses about thefactors affecting their choice of location. London came top in allfour of the factors considered essential for locating a business:easy access to markets, customers or clients; the availability ofqualified staff; external transport links and telecommunications.It was also ranked first for languages spoken, ahead of Amsterdamand Brussels.

London came second to Dublin in terms of government support forbusiness, second to Berlin for availability of office space andsecond to Paris for public transport. But on the downside, Londonscored 15th for value for money of office space and 25th in termsof freedom from pollution.

Healey & Baker Director Martin Newman said: 'London hasmaintained its position at the top of the European Cities Monitorthrough a mixture of its traditional strengths and its own activeself-promotion. Cities are brands and should promote themselves assuch. London has recognised this.'