Charles Begley, chief executive of the City Property Association, has received the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of his contribution to the built environment in the Square Mile over the past decade.
Begley, who was appointed chief executive of the real estate lobby group in 2014 - 110 years after it was founded - is credited with helping to cement the City's position as a leading global destination for business and leisure.
Begley has also served as the deputy chair of the City Corporation’s Skills for a Sustainable Skyline Taskforce for the past two years.
According to the CPA, that has "played a key role in supporting the ambitions of the City Corporation", which is aiming to deliver a minimum of 1.2 million square metres (circa 13 million square feet) of Grade A office accommodation by 2040 to meet future demand.
Begley was nominated for the award by the City Corporation’s Court of Common Council and received it at a ceremony at the Guildhall yesterday (25 February 2025) hosted by the Lord Mayor of London Alastair King.
Begley said in a statement: "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."
King added: "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."
CPA data reveals that more than 675,000 people work in the Square Mile, a 25% increase on pre-pandemic levels. More than a dozen skyscrapers in the area are in the pipeline, including 1 Undershaft which will become the UK’s joint tallest building.