Put simply, the startup, based at Canary Wharf’s Level39 in One Canada Square, connects entrepreneurs with investors and investors with entrepreneurs – digitally and in person.
“It’s an attempt to oil the wheels and reduce friction,” said Shane Smith, the company’s CEO.
“When founders are trying to raise venture capital, we aim to connect them with an investor network to help them do that.
“If you’re trying to raise money for the first time as a business, that’s the toughest time for you, because you’re not on anybody’s radar.
“It’s also the toughest time for investors, because, on the basis that you’re new, there’s no history, no track record – no-one’s done any research on you.
“At that stage, both sides have a pretty tough time finding the right match.
“Given that lack of information, the most valuable thing investors have to go on is the founders themselves.
“The way to understand founders is, ideally, to sit down across the table and have a good conversation about what they’re doing.
“The problem with that, is the economics don’t stack up for the investors to arrange those conversations and physically sit in locations all over the world to have them.”
Shane founded Pitchflix to address the issue, building on a career that’s long focused on providing information to people and companies that need it.
“My background has been between technology, financial markets and research,” he said.
“I started as one of the founding team in London for what was, at the time, a small startup in the US called Bloomberg.
“I was hired to the London office originally, and I moved on from there to set up my own research business, initially in Paris, then brought it back to London.
“We ran that until 2009 when it got beaten up by the credit crunch.
“Then I switched focus to investor communications rather than research, gradually moving from large listed companies, primarily in Asia, down the scale to smaller businesses.
“Pitchflix is an exercise to connect those smaller companies with investors.
Pitchfix aims to increase the reach of demo days beyond a physical audience
“This is the most interesting part of the market, because startups are generally doing more interesting, innovative things – there’s quite a buzz at the smaller end because tomorrow’s mega corporations are being created today.”
The next best thing to sitting in a room with investors is video – how can we get a short piece from founders, even a couple of minutes, in front of them?” said Shane.
“Startups which have been through an accelerator programme will typically do a demo day at the end, where investors come to listen to founders present.
“Our approach is to help accelerators livestream their demo days so international investors can view them from wherever they are, overcoming the geographical obstacles.
“There are firms who try to bridge that gap, but they typically operate in the corporate finance space where they are trying to broker those deals – we take a very different approach.
“We’re a media business – we help founders advertise themselves to an audience – we don’t get involved in the deals themselves.
“Pitchflix is a conduit that tries to remove friction in the connection and communication between the two parties.
“Investors might be conventional venture capital, corporate venture capital or companies looking to put money into early stage businesses.
“They might also be angel investors or angel syndicates.
“They all face similar problems and we’re trying to solve them.
“For example, if an investor decides to attend a demo day, they might only be interested in a specific sector, but this might involve sitting through pitches from 20 businesses in other fields just to see the one relevant one.
“That’s not a good use of their time.”
Founders’ pitches are hosted in video form on Pitchflix’s site
After livestreaming, Pitchflix hosts founders’ videos on its site, so investors can review them at their leisure.
“The next stage of the business was to turn that model on its head and have investors pitching to founders,” said Shane.
“We wanted to do that because we’d observed that, while there are lots of demo day and pitch competition events all over London and the rest of the country, nobody was systematically hosting investors who could pitch to an audience of founders to tell them what they were looking for.
“We call them ‘Rev’ for reverse pitch series. We needed to find a bigger space to host them and we discovered Level39.
“That’s where we put them on, every six weeks or so, and we have a lot of community members coming to them.
“We’re also based there. We started the business in 2019 and, as Covid restrictions, melted away, it was really hard to build a cohesive team and culture while working from home in spare bedrooms or at kitchen tables.
“We hired one person who did a fantastic job of getting up to speed from home, but we felt we needed more than that for the next people coming on board – our recent hires since we’ve been together in one place have been very quick getting into the business and are really productive.”
IN-PERSON
Pitchflix’s next Rev event is set to take place on February 27, 2024 at Level39 with further events in Singapore, Hong Kong and New York in the pipeline for March, April and later in 2024, respectively.
“Rev events are a very concise, efficient use of a founder’s time,” said Shane.
“For two hours attendees will sit and listen to up to 15 investors giving lightning, five-minute showcases of what they like to invest in and why.
“They’ll tell you how much they typically invest, whether they like to collaborate with others, whether they like to lead or follow, a lot of reference data about them, and you’ll get out of it and a sense of the personality and chemistry you might have with them.
“Is this an investor you think you can have a really productive five or 10 year relationship with?
“Are they someone you’d like to have a beer with?
“These are the kind of insights you’re not going to get unless you’re in a room with that person.
“After the presentations, there are audience questions and then there’s networking with some drinks.
“The idea for founders is it’s an opportunity to make themselves memorable, so that when they email the next day with their pitch, they’ll be on investors’ radars.”
Founders tickers for Rev events in London cost a nominal £20, aimed at ensuring those who have booked a place turn up.
At present, Pitchflix’s platform is free for both businesses and investors to use with the eventual aim of charging startups an affordable fee once the marketplace is consistently matching entrepreneurs with capital.
“This is very different from the brokering model, where those firms charge a retainer,” said Shane.
“We also don’t get involved with the production of the demo days themselves because there are tons of them happening.
“We’re just trying to make the process more efficient and extend their reach.
“Bloomberg started life as a business solving one problem – Mike didn’t have a crystal ball for the next 40 years, they were just trying to build a better mousetrap.
“There’s a sort of trend now that investors want to see how things will develop in the next five or 10 years, but you don’t need to.
“You just start with something that’s profitable, and then you explore, listen to your clients, be agile, nimble and develop.
“In our own investor presentations, we describe what we’re building and why it’s great for the market ecosystem. Have we got the full picture – no – but we’re listening.
“Very often you get the first signals about new and emerging stuff from entrepreneurs and what they’re talking about.
vWe’re recording that and analysing it will give you a pretty good indication of what’s coming down the road at 100mph, six months later.
“We have many ideas about how to develop Pitchflix and that’s something we’ll be looking at over the next few years.”
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
The idea that the way things are at the moment is how they shall continue to be.
But the world rarely stands still, especially in the world of tech.
There’s a danger in this – in getting too comfortable with the prevailing winds, lest they all too rapidly change when one isn’t paying attention.
Innovation Norway has been running its Tech Executive Accelerator (TEA) programme at Canary Wharf’s Level39, more or less since the community launched in 2013.
Back then, people talked of Big Data, with a few early adopters whispering about the blockchain.
Challenger banks emerged, crypto wallets proliferated and there was much talk of machine learning. Now it’s generative AI.
During this period, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have seen social media become the dominant marketing channel for their products and services.
But nothing in the digital sphere is guaranteed forever – the lustre of Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and even LinkedIn, has started to tarnish, with the inevitable consequences of light regulation and a limited appetite or capacity for in-house moderation.
So what of the future? Part of the answer may come from Norwegian startup Lyll – currently in Canary Wharf as part of the TEA’s latest cohort.
Launched in June, 2023, the company aims to offer SMEs a simple, self-service approach to advertising on digital news sites and is spending six months here as it targets growth.
While the column inches on these sites are often filled with discussions on the impact of and posts on social media, it’s perhaps easy to forget that much of the most well researched, potent and popular digital content is created by the news brands themselves, with millions of readers turning to them as trusted sources.
“I’ve been working in marketing for 25 years and online newspapers are my favourite marketing channel,” said Camilla Frydenbø, CEO of Lyll.
“I have a lot of love for them and they are important for brand building, which companies need if they are going to grow.
“But it hasn’t been very easy for SMEs to use this channel, because they typically have to talk to a salesperson.
“Most media businesses do not have self-service solutions, so many firms turn to social media because those platforms have made it easy to advertise and firms are welcome with any budget.
“Companies often perceive online news brands as expensive, so they don’t contact the salesperson as they feel like they need a big budget.
“What we’ve done is create a platform that makes it even easier to advertise on these sites than it is to use social media.
“We think businesses will use these channels if they know they can place adverts on these sites with a minimum budget of £50, which most companies can afford.
“The price of an ad view is similar to what they pay on social media – that makes it competitive.”
Lyll currently has more than 5,000 news sites on its platform, spread across nine European countries – a demonstration, perhaps of the publishers’ desire to uncover new streams of revenue in a tough climate.
“Our slogan is: ‘For your growth and a free press’, because we also think in this world where everyone is talking about sustainability, if we don’t have the fourth estate we will all have a problem,” said Camilla.
“We see in countries where there are fewer journalists and news sites being read, you don’t get a high level of debate or a nuanced picture of what’s going on.
“We hope that it will be part of a business’ sustainability plan – how they choose to spend their marketing budget and what they are funding with it.
“We have more than 200 companies in Norway which have signed up to Lyll with an account, although not all are active yet.
“We see it takes a while between when people create an account and when they start advertising, but the interest is definitely there.
“Companies know they need to reach a wider, mass market and when they don’t get the effect they used to from Facebook, it’s a perfect storm because they are willing to listen now.
“If they want to be on TikTok, for example, they have to make videos three times a week, at least, and small firms may not have the resources to produce the coolest thing on the platform.
Lyll is spending time at Level39 in One Canada Square as part of Innovation Norway’s TEA Programme
“When it comes to LinkedIn, if you’re selling to consumers, then it’s not the right channel.
“Then you have women, primarily, using Facebook, and men on YouTube. That’s how the social media market is dividing right now.
“Going beyond this, bringing news sites into the marketing mix, will see firms continue their growth.”
That’s partly because the two streams serve different purposes.
Camilla said she would never encourage a company to abandon social, but spread marketing onto more than one channel.
She said: “It is important for businesses to always be better at brand building – creating something sustainable which gives them growth over time and makes them more profitable.
“A presence on national, regional or local news sites is how you do this.
“Firms need to be more patient with news sites.
“With social media, everything is so fast.
“Companies are always having to come up with new photos, videos, text – which is a little bit tiring.
“If you are always chasing sales, doing special offers or discounts, then you will never succeed.
“Businesses that put most of their marketing budget into brand building are the ones that win the market, but you don’t do that in three months or six months.
“You need a plan which goes over several years.
“We don’t say companies shouldn’t use social media, because we think they should. The best effect is when you use three to four channels with a single campaign.
“In Bergen, for example, we have a concert series. Until recently they were selling their tickets through Facebook.
“But since that was declining, they wanted to try Lyll.
“They took their small budget and divided it between the two newspapers in the city.
“They told us they had never sold out faster than when they divided the budget.
“Lyll can support what a company is doing on social media – their platforms are often more geared towards making ticket sales, but people also have to know there’s a concert on in the first place.”
Lyll’s idea will likely be welcomed by digital publishers, many of who have spent the years since the arrival of the internet attempting to thrash out viable business models.
Reach PLC, which has kept its sites such as mirror.co.uk and express.co.uk free to access, recently reported a 16% decline in digital revenues – albeit a collapse largely blamed on Facebook’s decision to send less traffic to news brands.
Camilla said engagement with companies like Lyll could help.
“It’s been very valuable to be in London at Level39 on the TEA programme,” she said.
“We said we were looking for investors and partnerships and we’ve had meetings with investors and big media companies.
Lyll has built a self-service portal for advertisers to access digital news sites
“The latter see that they have a need for a self-service solution but they have one concern, whether it will have an impact on jobs.
“Sales people are definitely still needed to serve large advertisers – Lyll is not built for their needs – but we think they can activate sleeping customers.
“These companies have huge customer bases that we can appeal to.
“In the end, if they don’t do anything about this problem, they can’t complain about advertising going to social media because, if it’s difficult for companies to buy space on these platforms, they won’t do it.
“We make money by taking a small cut of the advertising spend – it’s programmatic advertising made easy.
“Another benefit is that while Google’s display network allows placement of ads on these sites, customers can’t choose where their ad appears.
“They might be placed on strange websites or bad websites, even. These things happen and brand safety is very important.
“If you want your advert to appear on the Financial Times’ site, for example, and you think you’ll get that from Google, you’ll probably find as little as 3% of your budget will place it there and the rest could see it placed somewhere else.
“With Lyll, you get to be in front of the audience you want – you decide where your money is spent.”
As for the future, Lyll is very much eyeing expansion to London following its spell in Canary Wharf.
“The networking with the TEA programme has been fantastic,” said Camilla. “I live in Bergen, which is the second largest city in Norway but is still very small.
“The investor pool is limited there in marketing tech.
“That’s why we wanted to come to London – here you have the best marketing people in Europe and the things we’ve been able to do, the little network we’ve been able to build – we’d have never been able to do this from Bergen.
“I think expanding to London would be a natural step for us.
“When we get more funding, the next thing is to hire a salesperson and they would have to be an English-speaking person who can talk to media companies around the globe and try and get them into collaboration with us.”
While the future of media online remains uncertain, the plummeting revenues at X following Elon Musk’s takeover of the platform and its descent into a frequently toxic space which companies are keen to avoid, could well be a cautionary tale.
With brands eager for a safe place to reach people, perhaps Lyll will help reignite a channel that’s been looking for a fresh approach for some time.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
“The role of the landlord is evolving all the time – is it enough to simply let a building? Probably not,” said Jane Hollinshead, chief people officer at Canary Wharf Group.
Things have changed in the world of work in the wake of the pandemic and the company that runs the estate is firmly in listening mode – especially when it comes to young people.
That’s the thinking behind the creation of Wharf Connect – a free membership community aimed at professionals in the first stages of their careers with a packed programmed of events and opportunities planned.
“We’re hearing a lot more from companies about what their employees want,” said Jane.
“Our customers are saying: ‘Bring people back to the office, listen to what the next generation want, which is something more experiential’.
“It’s made us think about what we’ve got at Canary Wharf and how, as a landlord, we’re in a position to curate experiences because we’ve got so many different amenities.
“We also picked up another dynamic through running our own intern programme last year.
“Often, when you’ve got new employees coming in from outside London, moving to a huge metropolis can be quite overwhelming.
“For them, it’s about how quickly they can immerse themselves in a business and the geography around them, as well as feeling like they’ve got a network of friends and colleagues.
“So Wharf Connect is about how we work with our customers.
“The genesis of it is in the idea that people are the greatest asset companies have.
“They are the fundamental part of what makes a business succeed, so what would something look like that was created to bring young professionals together?”
Wharf Connect’s stated aim is to convene a network in a way that enhances people’s engagement with the office environment, fosters employee retention and plugs workers into the wider world of Canary Wharf.
“What’s interesting from a post-pandemic perspective is that, 10 years ago – if we were talking to different tenants about their graduates or apprentices – firms probably weren’t so open to their people mixing with peers at other organisations,” said Jane.
“It was very much about investment in their own people.
“But now, a lot of big corporates are thinking about how to listen to what the next generation wants – whether that’s learning, wellbeing sessions or networking and bringing people together.
“Either organised internally or with other bodies, the idea is that those participating in these networks really benefit.
“The social aspect of this is also very big.
“We feel, at Canary Wharf Group, that we have a responsibility to do this and it’s very much a reflection of what we’re trying to do in creating a customer-centric approach to how we interact with everyone around the estate.
“We’re in this incredibly privileged position to be able to do that because of the amenities we have and the scale of this place.”
Wharf Connect’s programme is aimed at bringing people together on the estate
Wharf Connect is open to anyone working on the Canary Wharf estate who has spent 10 years or less in their current sector.
Members will have access to talks from leading experts, networking events and workshops on leadership.
There will also be events held in partnership with local retailers and hospitality businesses, as well as health and wellbeing organisations.
Members of the community will be made aware of local volunteering opportunities, as well as exclusive offers via the Canary Wharf App.
“One of the big events we’re going to have is with entrepreneur Steven Bartlett on February 8, 2024, following on from his appearance in our Wharf Talks series last year.
“Broadly, Wharf Connect’s events, initiatives and offers will focus on personal development. Some people will be wondering where their career will take them.
“Many events will be held in collaboration with businesses on the Wharf – events at Dishoom or Electric Shuffle, for example.
“We think exploring what’s on offer on the estate is better in a group.
“As a member, you’ll be getting carefully thought through, curated experiences – we’ll be bringing people into new spaces so they can experience them and benefit from that.”
Wharf Connect is free to join, with workers on the estate able to apply for membership via the Canary Wharf App.
At sign-up, users must select “I work here” and fill out their details, including selecting the company they are employed by from the list, or choosing “Company Not Listed” for organisations not mentioned.
Prospective members should sign up using their work email address so Canary Wharf Group can verify they are based on the estate.
“The relationship between landlords and tenants is becoming a partnership,” said Jane.
“Not only do you have to create a sustainable collaboration space, you need to be curating an experience.
“It will be really interesting to see how Wharf Connect develops – how many people get involved.
“Personally, I like the idea that there’s give and take in it – what are people offering to this community?
“If it results in more people volunteering who wouldn’t otherwise do so, then that’s great.
“Members may also spread the word of what Canary Wharf really is and that’s positive too.
“A lot of the benefits are nuanced and intangible – they exist above the hard line data – and you’ll see those trickling through.
“Wharf Connect will create allies and advocates for the Wharf and I think that will become exponential in terms of its effects.
“The question for us is always: ‘What we can do to make our customers’ experience more immersive and accessible?’.”
Wharf Connect is accepting applications for membership now via the Canary Wharf App, which can be downloaded for both Android and iOS devices.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Its facilities, spread over three floors above Waitrose in Canada Square, include an expansive Crossfit-themed training area, a combat zone with a full-size boxing ring, a climbing wall, a swimming pool, fitness studios, a dedicated mind and body space and that’s before you even get to the weights and cardio machines.
Billed as Europe’s largest luxury health club, it boasts an unrivalled selection of classes featuring everything from treadmills and Olympic weightlifting to bodyweight HIIT, kettlebells and callisthenics.
Pick pretty much any exercise trend and, if it promises serious benefits, the Third Space’s Canary Wharf facility will pretty much have it covered.
Like Barry’s? then Third Space has Sweat X. Prefer spinning? Choose Hardcore Cycle or Just Ride. Enjoy Crossfit? There’s Yard WOD and so on.
It’s not unusual to have more than 45 classes timetabled on a given weekday for members to choose from – all included in the monthly fee.
Soon, however, that won’t be all they’re getting.
The Wood Wharf branch is set to open later this year
Third Space is set to open a new branch on the estate, with access for Canary Wharf members at no extra cost.
The club is essentially an extension on a second site to the facilities already on offer in Canada Square. It will have its own fully-stocked gym floor and swimming pool, but also a series of new classes..
“We have a great offering already, but the idea is that if a member can think of a type of class they’d like to do, then it should be available across the two sites,” said Gillian Reeves, head of group exercise at Third Space.
“There are a couple of things Canary Wharf doesn’t offer that Wood Wharf will, completing our full suite of facilities.
“We’ll have dedicated studios for hot Yoga and Reformer Pilates.
“They will be great spaces and we can’t wait to welcome our members into them.”
The Wood Wharf branch is expected to open in early summer, with preparations well underway.
The Wood Wharf branch will include a hot Yoga studio
“It’s massive for Canary Wharf,” said Alex Barsby, the new facility’s dedicated general manager.
“With both sites taken into consideration, it’s such a fantastic offering.
“The idea is to deliver extra facilities to what we already have at the existing site without duplicating too much of what’s already there.
“There will be more capacity – there’s a fully equipped gym with Eleiko free weights, a sled track, professional lifting racks, Pulse pin-loading machines with digital screens and cardio machines.
“Upstairs, there will be beautiful changing rooms where members can relax, unwind and get ready before venturing out into the city.
“There’s a 20m pool with a hydro pool and unisex sauna and steam room facilities, which is something new for the club on the estate and will be ideal for couples.
“There will also be poolside loungers and an experience shower that people can use after coming out of the sauna or steam room.
“Being above ground, there’s lots of natural light with windows all round the club, which is really fantastic and gives it a lovely feel.”
While the extra capacity will be of obvious benefit – especially to Tribe hotel guests, who can use the facilities – the chief attractions are perhaps the two new studios and the possibilities they bring.
A Reformer Pilates studio will host a range of classes
While Third Space Canary Wharf offers a programme of mat based Pilates classes and Yin, Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga at ambient temperatures, Wood Wharf will expand significantly on these.
“We’ll continue with all those classes,” said Gillian.
“But these new spaces allow us to offer more.
“The hot Yoga studio will be heated to between 32ºC and 35ºC – a really lovely temperature.
“We know from our other clubs that some people really want to escape to a warm place where they can feel that they’re sweating a bit.
“It can feel a bit more challenging because you have the heat to contend with and that puts your body under greater stress.
“The fact it’s hot and that you have to move and breathe, means you need to work with your mind – to use all the tools that your practice has taught you to focus on the positions.
“To keep things straightforward we’ll be programming the same forms as in the ambient studios but there are variations because we don’t dictate to our teachers the approach they should take.
“Everyone who teaches at Third Space has years of experience and the classes differ based on the way that they have been trained in Yoga.”
Perhaps the most significant addition to Third Space’s offering, however, is its decision to include a Reformer Pilates studio at Wood Wharf.
Third Space Wood Wharf will be included with membership at Canary Wharf
“This equipment is commonly used in smaller groups or one-on-one, but we’ve found there’s growing demand for bigger classes with lots of Reformers,” said Gillian.
“The challenge was to keep the authenticity of Pilates when creating these larger classes.
“To do that, we needed an expert and we found that in James Shaw who has been teaching for more than 10 years.
“He has a wealth of knowledge and experience and he’s really passionate about Pilates – he’s devoted his life to it.
“He’s developed our signature classes and we’ll be running Fundamental Reformer Pilates, Traditional Reformer Pilates and Dynamic Reformer sessions.
“We’ve dropped the word ‘Pilates’ from the last one, because it’s really movement exercises on the equipment and looks quite different from the traditional system, but members love it.
“We’ll also be offering Tower Pilates classes, where participants will work with the structure at the end of the equipment.
“It’s a really nice addition, as it’s a different way of working with the resistance springs.”
Alex added: “Third Space is an investment in yourself – the return you get can be life-changing.
“We really pride ourselves on the fact everything we do is member-assessed.
“We love this feedback and use it to constantly improve what we do and to provide what our members want.”
Membership at Third Space Canary Wharf, which will include the new Wood Wharf club currently costs £212 per month.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
“Wharf Life newspaper was founded by Archant, a publishing company, to serve the area around Canary Wharf,” states ChatGPT 3.5, confidently, when asked who created this paper.
It sounds plausible, going on to say: “Archant is a well-established media company with a history of creating local newspapers and publications”.
This demonstrates one of the issues inherent with AI large language models. They are prone to making things up.
Wharf Life was founded by Massey Maddison Ltd in 2019 and has no connection to Archant – a business that used to run the East London And Docklands Advertiser before it collapsed into administration and was subsequently taken over by US-owned media firm Newsquest.
Imagine, for a minute, that my question had been about something much more important than the vanity of asking about this newspaper – that the answer given might have serious consequences for me or the organisation I’m contacting through a chatbot.
With AI finding its way into all sorts of areas of life – including Newsquest’s reporting, incidentally – trust becomes an issue that should be uppermost in the minds of those interacting with it, either as readers or customers.
It’s a topic that’s been on the mind of Chris Ezekiel and his team at Creative Virtual for some time.
He founded the conversational artificial intelligence company on the Isle Of Dogs 20 years ago, investing its profits to grow it into a global business that won the Queen’s Award For Enterprise in 2017.
Now based in Canary Wharf, the firm is considered a leader in its field, competing with the likes of Microsoft, IBM and Google in a sector that until 12 months ago was largely below the public radar.
That all changed in 2022 with the public release of ChatGPT – an event that sent the world giddy with the prospect of what large language models might be capable of.
“It’s been a seismic shift for our sector,” said Chris, who is based at 25 Cabot Square.
“We’d been looking at these models for about three years but everybody was surprised by the impact that this launch by OpenAI had.
“What’s been amazing has been the proliferation of other big companies coming out with their own competitive versions.
“One of the things about running an independent company in the way we do is that you have to keep making profit to invest.
“This makes the choices you make as founder and CEO more critical.
Chris’ business is always looking to the future of organisations’ interactions with customers and employees
“There are always ups and downs when running a company – my role is to make sure there are more highs than lows.
“However, our setup also means that we can take a longer term view when it comes to developing products, alongside the way we work with our customers and the commercial models we adopt.
“One of the things that’s been a massive success for us this year, strategically, is that we immediately offered all our customers completely free proof of concepts related to using this technology to serve their customers and employees – running large language models alongside our chatbot technology.
“It was about asking how they could be used and what the concerns might be.
“At launch, they were much more susceptible to getting stuff wrong and making things up with no way of telling where those errors came from.
“So it was about working with our clients to establish what the challenges were.
“Many had seen the models and thought they could save a fortune – writing stuff for them and answering their customers’ and employees’ questions.
“The business teams were focused on that but then they realised the risks associated with this technology and realised it would need to involve the legal and compliance teams.
“We literally saw companies developing solutions they wanted to deploy for real, while in parallel setting up ethical AI teams, who we were working with to address their concerns.”
Essentially, developing those proofs of concept meant Creative Virtual – which works with the likes of HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group – learnt a great deal about what it would take to make use of the things ChatGPT and other similar models were offering in large organisations.
“Three themes came out of this work – one is trust in the models and the content they create,” said Chris.
“The second is control – to use this technology, organisations need the ability to make sure they can override the models in certain cases.
“For example, if a customer wanted to replace a lost credit card, you need a very structured process that is compliant, trustworthy, accurate, reproducible and consistent – all of the things we’ve always provided as a company.
“There are ways to do this by training AI on the documents, policies, procedures and product information from a particular organisation.
“On top of that you can also create rules to override the model in certain circumstances.
“The Gluon release of our V-Person technology offers a blended approach – AI created content from large language models and human-curated content, which is perfect for organisations which are trying to create accurate, trustworthy interactions.
“The third theme that came up was experience. As a 20-year-old company, we know what it takes to act as AI consultants.
“We’ve had to change our company to be aware of all the different models that are out there.
“Some of these large language models are good at some things, but not so good at others so it’s our experience that allows us to help these large organisations, who want to understand how they can be used and the benefits.
“We’re focused on delivering the control and trust they need through our products and the expertise of our people, to take full advantage of this technology.”
The emergence of large language models has also broadened Creative Virtual’s approach as it explores different sectors and applications for its products.
“It’s changed the company a lot,” said Chris.
“We worked with an accounting company in Australia – MYOB – to use generative AI to create content with a human in control to sign it off.
“They’ve just won a major customer experience award having followed through on a proof of concept with us to create a project.
“That’s the joy we get from this kind of innovation – working very closely with customers who realise the benefits of what this tech can offer.
“This type of AI can provide lots of solutions for sectors such as healthcare and government too – any organisation that has lots of documents.
“Historically we’ve mostly been focused on customer services and resources for employees but we’re now starting to deploy solutions in sales.
“A classic case is what we’re doing on the travel side.
“Currently, if you walk into a travel agent, the person there helping to advise on a trip might sometimes refer to their own or a colleague’s experience.
“There’s no reason a chatbot couldn’t be used to do something similar – using content to show what other customers’ experiences of a destination have been like – an advocate that’s scaleable.”
Chris says companies are developing architecture to make interacting with multiple devices and services through AI possible – image by Matt Grayson
As for the future, Chris is excited by the prospect of further leaps forward too.
“I think the physical form of AI is going to be an interesting one, like having your own robot butler which interacts with the devices in your home, such as your fridge, to keep an eye on supplies, or your smart watch to monitor vitamin intake,” said Chris.
“I think that the future is joining up the AI to connected devices.
“People use the term hyper-personalisation, where organisations know lots of things about you.
“Even with issues of privacy, people often don’t mind revealing personal details if it improves their experience.
“In the future, you won’t even have to think about how you interact with the AI.
“People are already using their voices more to control devices.
“Organisations will know the context of the conversation you’re having and will switch to different channels, so you can start off on the phone, then move to the web, with everything seamlessly connected together.
“We’re starting to develop architecture that will make this really easy to do.
“The big companies we work with talk about the composable enterprise, where we can slot all these different systems together.
“Organisations then don’t have to worry what’s coming from this company or that firm – they can select the technology that’s best of breed, and platforms which create an overall digital customer experience.”
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
I first met Marcus Lyall beneath a flyover in Royal Docks.
It was December 2020, the wind was biting and various restrictions were in place thanks to the pandemic’s Christmas-cancelling second wave.
As a result, his epic installation Presence was attracting the attention of only a few, shifty passers-by.
Nevertheless, the piece remained the most impactful work of that year’s Join The Docks festival – with viewers performing short messages into a microphone then seeing them echo between the concrete pillars of the roadway, with visualisation courtesy of an urgent laser and plenty of smoke machines.
Had the times been normal, it would have been a blockbuster – recalling the success the artist had at Canary Wharf’s Winter Lights festival in 2017.
Then, On Your Wavelength – a series of 32 square LED-lit portals drew visitors in droves to Crossrail Place’s once empty shopping level.
This year, the Homerton resident is set to return to the estate for Winter Lights 2024 – with something much bigger than either of these creations.
Idle Time will be projected onto a 50sq m canvas formed by white-wrapped scaffolding behind Wood Wharf’s Union Square.
“The idea for it came from our lives today and how we’re encouraged very much to think about optimisation and efficiency – what we can fit into a day,” said Marcus, who works from studios at Fish Island near Hackney Wick.
“There have been various anthropological studies of pre-industrial societies and one of the things the scientists noticed when they went to hunter-gatherer cultures was the amount of time that people spent not doing anything.
“It feels right now, when everything is being optimised, that there is very little time for not doing anything, despite the fact that everything has apparently been made more efficient so we all have more leisure time.
Marcus Lyall’s On Your Wavelength from Winter Lights 2017
“To me, it doesn’t feel like that.
“The question now is: ‘Are you spending your free time productively?’.
“With Idle Time, there are three elements connected to efficiency and productivity.
“Firstly there’s the backdrop – Canary Wharf – a global centre of hyper-capitalism, where companies dedicate every moment to trying to extract capital from labour.
“Secondly I’m using lasers, which are a hyper-efficient light source.
“You can use them in lots of ways, but here I’m using them like a big pen to draw and animate an image.
“With lasers you have the beam and a couple of mirrors that move at something like 30,000 times a second.
“Projecting 50 or 60 drawings per second lets the eye perceive the image as though it’s moving.
“Thirdly, I’m also working with motion capture technology where we have people act out various movements and use the data captured to drive the image.
“Normally this is done with dancers, acrobats, stunt people or physical theatre performers – subjects that are incredibly good at moving, so the data can be used to create animation sequences.
“It tends to be about capturing stuff that’s exceptional – actors performing the most amazing moves they can.
“What I’m doing with Idle Time is deliberately using people who aren’t terribly good at movement as my subjects – they’re mostly artists from the building I share in east London and they are doing things that are not terribly productive.
“One of the real pleasures of being an artist is that it’s not all about the effort you put in.
“A lot of it is about talking and thinking – stuff that’s difficult to quantify or capture.
“What I’m trying to do is celebrate the more mundane bits of life, the fact that most of our experience comes through incredibly subtle movement.
“Our experience of other people isn’t necessarily about them doing cartwheels.
“What’s interesting is that, when we’ve done tests on this work, people find these characters we’ve captured quite intriguing.
“Viewers immediately try to work out what they’re doing and then project characters onto them. It’s leaving a bit of a gap for the audience.”
Idle Time is one of 12 temporary installations that will pop up across the estate for Winter Lights 2024. The festival is set to run daily from 5pm-10pm and is free to visit.
Having seen around 1million visitors come to the estate for 2023, new one-way systems have been implemented to help manage numbers, with larger, more crowd-friendly pieces commissioned.
Alongside the visiting works, six permanent artworks will be illuminated for the show, including an LED twist on Shine Your Colours at Canary Riverside.
Marcus said: “It’s great that Canary Wharf Group is commissioning work and nice that they’re valuing art – it makes a difference.
“Idle Time is a bit more of a slow burn rather than a five-minute spectacular.
“Part of it is getting people to look at how they spend their time, getting people to question whether this constant drive for productivity is the best way to live their lives.
“I’m also hoping they feel some sort of empathy with the people they’re seeing, that there’s a connection with them, that they put themselves in those characters’ places.
“It’s very much about reflection and contemplation.
“There’s something nice about the fact that it’s projected onto a building that’s not in use yet – something that’s still going up.
Marcus Lyall’s Presence in Royal Docks
“It also feels a little bit subversive to be doing a bit of graffiti with lasers in a part of the estate where people actually live.
“Sometimes this kind of work can be more for show, but this has been designed as something people can live with for a while.
“It’s ironic – I’m creating something in a hyper-efficient location with hyper-efficient projection technology and hyper-efficient motion capture, where my subjects are actually doing very little.”
The perfect antidote, perhaps, to the hustle and bustle of the Wharf – especially during the festival.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Around five years ago, his family relocated from Jordan to the UK with the aim of establishing a global business – building on the work of its Middle Eastern company, International Technical Sources For Industrial Equipment.
Based first at One Canada Square and now in 25 Cabot Square, the company offers a range of services including hospital design, planning and the supply of equipment, especially related to medical gas systems.
“After more than 20 years in Jordan, working in the Middle East, we had the know-how, as my father likes to say,” said Ali, who heads business development for the company.
“So we thought about coming to the UK to create a worldwide operation and we’ve more or less been based on the Wharf the whole time.
“We’ve mostly been working in exports around the world.
“We wanted a base that was close to where we were living on the Isle Of Dogs.
“As a family, you need somewhere that’s quieter where there’s not always something going on 24 hours a day and we found this place near the Wharf.
“You have the water, the sky at night and you can get everything here with lots of facilities for the same price as a place in Swiss Cottage that has fewer amenities.”
However, this isn’t an article about the family’s medical business. It’s about a problem Ali identified while working on the Wharf.
“To be honest, I think we’re struggling here with dry cleaning,” he said.
“It’s a very big business area, there are lots of people in the towers and every time you want to do dry cleaning, you wind up queueing for a long time just to drop off your clothes.
“That’s a waste of your lunch hour that day. It’s your break, you deserve it.
“So we thought: ‘why not create and offer a service to all the people working and living locally?’.”
Canary Wash is a dry cleaning and laundry business for Canary Wharf and the Isle Of Dogs
The solution he came up with was to start a business.
“The app we’ve created is live and we’re competitively priced,” said Ali.
“We’ll collect your dry cleaning and laundry, do it for you and then bring it back for the same price as you would pay if you went into a shop, queued there, dropped off your clothes and then went back another day to pick them up via the same process.
“We picked the name Canary Wash, because this is where we are operating, with a logo that features the towers.
“We started two months ago with Canary Wharf and then added the Isle Of Dogs.
“We’re expecting it mostly to serve businesses and residential addresses in the area.
“We offer dry cleaning, washing, ironing – and washing and ironing together.
“For example, customers can send pieces just for ironing or bulky items just for washing, such as duvets or blankets.
“Of course, we deal with all kinds of delicate clothes that can’t be washed at home.
“People always need dry cleaning – with delicates you just can’t risk it.
“I lost one shirt that way myself. I put it in the washing machine at home and it shrunk.
“When I put it on it was really tight – I’d been exercising in the gym, but not enough to get quite so big.”
The process has been designed to be simple.
The app deals with washing, ironing and dry cleaning for ally types of garments
Customers download the Canary Wash app, itemise which pieces of clothing they are sending and which service they require.
Then they pick a two-hour time slot for collection.
A driver arrives to collect the laundry, the order is checked, cleaned and then returned 48 hours later.
“When you make an order via the app, you will select which services you want and then we’ll know what to expect when we get the order,” said Ali, who coaches kids’ football in his spare time.
“Before we wash, we confirm the order against what has been supplied and that we know exactly what we’re doing with each item of clothing.
“If we get a piece we’re not expecting or that doesn’t fit with the order, then we contact the customer via the app to tell them that their order needs to be adjusted.
“We send all the relevant details.
“For example, if an order is for two pieces and there’s a third included, then we’ll ask whether it’s for dry cleaning, ironing or washing and, once confirmed, then we can proceed.
“For me, this business is a new challenge. There have been a lot of things to learn.
“Obviously, when you’re getting into something new you want to do as much research as possible, so we’ve been doing that.
“We’ve visited lots of businesses and seen how it could be done before designing our service where we’ve tried to merge everything we learnt.
“Our aim is to deliver the best possible quality for the customer.
“People in this area mostly care about the quality of the service and the time more than anything else – so those are the two things we’ve focused on.
“We’ve been live for two months now and it’s been going well, but we’re looking to reach more and more people to take this as big as we can.
“We have the capacity and we’re excited for that to happen and then to expand further.
“Our plan is to roll this out to other business areas such as Liverpool Street, where people need their time to be saved through our collection and delivery service.
“We aim to collect, clean and deliver a customer’s order back to them within 48 hours.
“That includes extra time built-in, so we can easily achieve that goal and not disappoint anybody.”
To give readers an idea of pricing, Canary Wash offers suits and dresses dry cleaned for £16.50 and £12.99 respectively.
Comparative prices from retail dry cleaners on the Wharf are from £21 and £15 for the same pieces.
Canary Wash’s app offers free pick-up and delivery on orders over £5.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
There’s been much talk of late about the future direction of Canary Wharf.
HSBC’s forthcoming departure, Clifford Chance’s move and Credit Suisse’s enforced purchase by UBS are all significant changes for the estate.
But, quite apart from the flourishing retail and hospitality scene that has seen a deluge of openings in recent years, the direction of travel in the office market is far from one-way.
Areas of London evolve continually. Companies’ requirements change over time, generating a constant churn of relocations.
The City is packed with wine bars and hotels in buildings that once held banks, vacated by the businesses they were built for. It’s a natural process as firms grow, merge or close.
Whatever the Wharf looks like in 20 years’ time, for now, it’s continuing to attract companies.
Growing construction firm McLaren is delighted with its light and airy space at 20 Churchill Place, having got significantly more square footage for its budget than alternative locations in the City.
Digital challenger bank Revolut, currently based at Westferry Circus, is also apparently eyeing a chunk of YY London in Reuters Plaza by the Tube station rather than moving out as it navigates its ongoing expansion.
“Our decision was driven by value for money but also by different ways of working,” said Andrew Ball, chief executive at BLME.
“We had an opportunity to come out of our existing lease and as well as it making financial sense, we wanted to improve the space we use.
“In addition to BLME, we have a fintech company that sits under our licence and delivers technology for our fintech bank Nomo.
“Obviously that’s a different way of working to traditional banking – software engineers, for example, need collaboration space rather than separate offices.
“While I do have a small office for private discussions with shareholders and so on, we’ve made the rest open space.
Canary Wharf is getting busier again
“There are phone booths for people to have private calls, but the design allows for hybrid working and gives people flexibility for the time that they are in the office.
“It’s a space they can really use rather than cramming into little meeting rooms.
“It’s possible to get stuck in an office environment which you’ve always been used to having, with the same desk layout.
“Here we’re coming to something we can actually use.
“The executive management used to have their own offices, but now they are sitting amongst people, whether it’s with the payment team, the tech guys around the corner or the customer service team.
“Now people are finding out things about the organisation, just by sitting somewhere different with different people.
“We have a desk booking system and nobody gets the same desk, unless they have a role where they have to be in the same place every day, such as IT.”
BLME employs around 250 people, with space in its offices for 90, meaning staff rotate in and out depending on need.
Andrew said the bank had ambitious growth plans and would hopefully be looking for more space in three years.
“We’ve grown quite a lot as we have come out of the pandemic,” he said.
“We launched Nomo completely remotely during Covid – a digital bank for clients in the Middle East, who want a British bank account. In that way we saw what was doable.
“You have to offer flexibility if you want to attract the best staff.
“But, if you’re a graduate, starting your career, then sitting with someone, talking to them and finding out what they do is vital.
“When people do come into the office – and we’ve had a lot of new staff starting in the last year – they actually welcome the fact that they can meet people in person.
“This is a very different environment to what we had over in Cannon Street – our plan is to live in it, figure out what works and what doesn’t and then adapt working styles accordingly.
“On Wednesdays, for example, our fintech compant takes over the office so they can get that engagement and rapport going, otherwise it will be to the detriment of corporate culture.
“We like to be very open – so people know each other.
“We’re not about working unseen on the 50th floor – a lot of what we do is driven by relationships, whether internally or with our clients.”
Andrew says BLME has ambitious growth plans
What BLME does is a little different to most of the other financial institutions on the Wharf.
Both the firm and Nomo are Sharia’a compliant institutions, offering Islamic banking and financial services to customer in the UK and the Middle East.
“There are lots of debates about what Islamic finance is,” said Andrew, who has a long history of working in the Gulf.
“BLME is the first Islamic institution I’ve worked for – prior to this role, all my experience was with conventional banks.
“In essence, Islamic finance is very open and transparent. For many clients it’s a different way of working.
“In essence, it’s a contract between two different parties, with a notion of shared risk.
“Everybody goes into a transaction knowing what they’re going to pay, what the bank’s obligations are and what the client’s obligations are – that makes it very transparent.
“If it isn’t in a document, we can’t do it and we can’t charge you for it.
“What’s in the contract is key. There are no hidden fees or agreements. It’s very clear – we’re a very simple business.
“Once an organisation has got its head around the paperwork, they can see it’s a better way of doing business.
“We had a firm that did one development with us who initially found it difficult.
“But now we’re their go-to bank because they saw the advantages.
“We handle real estate finance, whether it’s developments, investment properties or big buy-to-let portfolios.
“We also offer private banking, which may be around property, and then we have our digital bank, which is focussed on affluent customers who want to operate in the UK.
“Perhaps they have children studying here, or they are investing here or looking to buy here.
“We don’t do things we don’t understand and we’re pretty cautious as an organisation and we see UK regulation as an asset – people want to know their money is safe.
“We don’t finance things which have anything to do with tobacco, defence or arms – anything that wouldn’t comply with Sharia’a law.”
That also means BLME essentially doesn’t pay or collect interest on money – customers instead get a portion of the profits on shared investments – a system the Bank Of England now supports through its Alternative Liquidity Fund.
“That levels the playing field to a certain extent because it means we can get a return on our surplus liquidity,” said Andrew.
“Our future very much lies in the Gulf, which is where our clients are.
“You can divide our bank into two –we have pure UK-based clients who invest, build and rent UK property and then we have clients based in the Gulf who are investing in the UK.
“I think that part of our competitive advantage is that BLME was conceived to bridge that gap in terms of inward investment.
“Then we believe what we offer through Nomo is a world-first, where a client can sit in their armchair in Kuwait and open an account in eight minutes – that’s unheard of because dealing with UK banks is usually a long process.”
For Greenwich resident Andrew, the return to the Wharf was not without some personal anxiety.
“I was filled with a sense of trepidation, coming back to the this area, having worked here at Citibank 20 years ago – but I’ve been more than pleasantly surprised and the feedback we’ve got from the teams has been brilliant,” he said.
“People were worried what it was going to do for their commute, that Canary Wharf is a soulless place where you can’t get a decent sandwich with no restaurants, but it’s not like that at all.
“From a business perspective it’s certainly value for money – and there’s a real buzz around the place.
“The atmosphere here, even at the weekend is great – people are coming to Canary Wharf as a destination.
“Dishoom is one of my favourite restaurants and now there’s a branch a stone’s throw away. When you think what it was like 20 years ago, it’s fantastic.”
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
Canary Wharf’s food scene is unquestionably the best it’s ever been.
Gone are the days of underwhelming Pizza Express lunches.
The estate in 2023 is host to myriad dining options spanning cuisines from across the globe.
In celebration, Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has unveiled its Season Of Culinary Discovery campaign, aimed at shining a spotlight on venues all over the estate at a time of year when – more than any other – people want to get together, break bread and celebrate.
It’s an open invitation to explore, taste, experiment and discover new flavours and venues – something Wharf Life is proud to get involved with.
“The reason we’re doing this is to reflect the diversity of the restaurants and cuisines we have on the estate,” said Claire Slater, retail marketing manager at CWG.
“ We wanted to show how people can sample flavours from across the world without ever having to leave the Wharf.
“I don’t think anyone would expect the sheer number of phenomenal restaurants that we have here.
“Until you come and you visit, you won’t be aware of the depth – I think people really are spoilt for choice.
“Also, because it’s a holiday season we wanted to remind people that there’s something for everyone.
“Whether you’re celebrating with a significant other, your family, your work colleagues or a group of friends, there’s somewhere that caters for every taste and every kind of occasion.”
To that end, CWG is showcasing restaurants on the estate in four categories – WhenEast Meets East, North, South Or Central, Frosty Days And Sizzling Dishes and From Farm To Fork.
In support we’ve selected dishes from restaurants featured in the above categories to help spark your dining ideas.
Served up with sage and pumpkin seed pesto, butternut squash, chard and cold pressed olive oil, this handsome piece of fish is a fitting crown for one of Boisdale’s oxblood red-bordered plates. The Scottish restaurant, jazz venue, whisky Mecca, cigar library and oyster bar has more than a few strings to its bow – so many, in fact, that it’s easy to overlook the food. This is a place of rich, bold flavours. The fish is often smoked, the haggis soused in liquor and the menu shot through with whisky matches to help ease the dining. This brightly coloured dish is just one of the options on a Christmas set menu that offers three courses for £59.50 and features silky Jerusalem artichoke soup alongside the inevitable festive classics. Just don’t forget a noggin or two as a chaser…
There’s something of the speakeasy about Blacklock, with its dark wood furniture, leather banquettes and screened windows. While chops and plentiful portions are what this place is known for, don’t visit without trying its classic white chocolate cheesecake, doled out table side in astonishing quantities…
All of the traders at MMy Wood Wharf must adhere to strict sustainability guidelines that conform to Mercato Metropolitano’s vision for good food that doesn’t harm the planet. This melange of cheeses with flat bread is a great example of how doing the right thing needn’t be a compromise on taste and texture
Pedler has come up with some of our favourite things for its seasonal offering this year. Its menus start at £45 for two courses, £55 for three with bubbles, coffee and mince pies or £65 to add 1/2 a bottle of wine per guest. Tipsy or not, there are some serious flavours at play here to enjoy. Our picks are St Ives Smoked Salmon to start with sourdough and capers, followed by a zingy Beetroot Tarte tatin for mains with feta, rocket and tomato salsa. Then to finish, it has to be the Bailey’s And Vanilla Creme Brulee, topped off with icing sugar-dusted raspberries. Expect a warm welcome throughout the colder months..
A festive experience at Hawksmoor is really all about the beef and the company. The Water Street restaurant boasts a private dining room where revellers can indulge in sirloin, rump, prime rib, T-bone, porterhouse and chateaubriand across a selection of two or three-course set menus ranging from £62 to £98. The floating venue (complete with The Lowback bar beneath) may feature an opulent art deco interior, but at heart is about the simplicity of presenting high quality meat to the very best effect. Oh, and don’t forget to round things off with the sticky toffee pudding and clotted cream, it’s ace.
Goose And Turkey Shepherd’s Pie, £55 (part of set menu)
Part of The Ivy In The Park’s seasonal set menu, this dish suggests the shepherd may have decided to branch out from their traditional diet in favour of more extravagant produce to celebrate Christmas. Eschewing lamb in favour of confit goose and turkey as a filling, the mash-topped pie comes served in a high-sided dish complete with pigs in blankets. Suffice to say, the swineherd and poulterers may well be livid. Fortunately, The Ivy has plenty of foliage behind which to hide and remains one of the most beautifully kitted out interiors on the Wharf. Not a bad place to lie low at all.
Right on the cutting edge of Canary Wharf’s food scene, Matt Colk’s seafood and game-dominated menu presents fiery cooking and vibrant combinations of British ingredients. The cooking is precise and skilled, typified by this simple dish that marries meaty, succulent fish with rosemary, lemon and smoked Maldon sea salt. It even comes with a big knife to slice up the surprisingly delicate fillet. This is a venue that’s not afraid to try new things and comes complete with a chilli tasting menu and an agave bar packed with South American spirits. Go for the £16, two-course lunch menu, just to start the addiction off gently…
Street Food, £48 (plus £35pp for the matching wines)
Trying to feature a specific dish at Six By Nico is almost impossible as its menu of six courses changes every six weeks. Currently, the Canary Wharf branch is serving Street Food, a selection of dishes “meticulously crafted to pay homage to a diverse array of global flavours and iconic culinary staples that have originated from local street food vendors”. Diners can expect Gochujang Pork Steamed Bun, Samosa, Kebab, Taco, Satay and Coffee to arrive when visiting before December 17. There’s also the option to go for some snacks (croquettes) and a cocktail aperitif if you wish to go all-in.
FROM FARM TO FORK
The second strand of the campaign celebrates sustainability and British produce, home grown and delivered on the plate
Always a leader, Iberica’s innovative Spanish cooking under chef director Nacho Manzano is a treat. For the festive period, the restaurant is serving up a sharing dish of black ink rice, complete with fresh squid and prawns. Diners can expect a touch of garlic aioli to top off this tapas, served in a paella pan.
Plant-based powerhouse Mallow consistently serves up some of the most beautiful, complex food on the Wharf and this tight coil of filo pastry is no exception. It comes on a bed of bulgur wheat, muhammara, dates and spices plus green tabbouleh, baba ganoush cream, sour cherry molasses and ezme…
Caravan is packed with festive cheer this year with a feasting menu filled with luxurious dishes with a European flavour. It’s a fair bet that there will be some competition round the table when the confit duck leg with braised cavolo nero, white beans and salsa verde makes an appearance. Knives and forks at the ready.
Sprouts are proudly star ingredients at Humble Grape with this dish only available at its Canary Wharf restaurant. In addition to the main veg, there’s cranberry sauce and bacon to further lift things. Also on offer during the festive season is a small plate for £8 that brings whipped goats cheese together with crispy sprouts, pickled cranberries and candied chestnuts for a blend of sweet and sour on the tongue.
Christmas can be a time of indulgence and having a whole pizza generously coated in fior di latte, mozzarella, truffle paste and shavings of black truffle definitely qualifies. It’s worth noting, though, that Cafe Brera hasn’t become one of the most enduringly successful brands on the Wharf by stinting on ingredients. It also offers a Parma pizza for £15.90 that comes heavily topped with parma ham, san marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, rocket leaves and shards of parmesan. Expect to walk away filled with rich flavours and already planning a return visit.
Available throughout December, this rich, sweet dessert features panettone soaked in custard, toasted in butter and served with silky smooth gelato. Finished with spiced sugar, it’s a blend of hot and cold, crisp and fluffy from this popular Italian restaurant that demands a glass of sweet Moscato on the side. The Wood Wharf venue has proved popular since opening its doors, drawing workers and local residents alike with its uncomplicated offering of eight pasta dishes in an unfussy, cosy environment. Diners can expect to pay less than £17 for a bowl, with pasta made fresh on-site each day. There’s also a bar menu to explore.
Customers visiting Zizzi restaurants, including the Canary Wharf branch, can indulge in three courses for under £26 with options including the Festive Formaggio And Prosciutto Pizza, pictured below. Expect meatballs, shiitake mushrooms and free range eggs to arrive on a truffle-infused white base.
There’s something tempting about the copper and turquoise hues of this Med-focused restaurant. Its pizzas eschew the neapolitan sourdough crusts that have become ubiquitous in recent years in favour of a denser base, here topped with honey and soft charcuterie.
Obica’s festive specials are all about fusion and this dish is no exception, mixing the classic pairing of lamb and mint with thick ribbons of egg pasta. If you fancy an even bigger twist, there’s rolled turkey with prosciutto, smoked mozzarella, sage stuffing, trimmings and gravy. A singular festive creation.
WHEN EAST MEETS WEST
The third strand of the campaign is focused on Asian restaurants, so dig into noodles or a curry and prepare for some serious spice…
Like this enormous, 1kg cut of flame-grilled steak, there’s no part of Roka that isn’t exceedingly well done. The Japanese sushi and robata restaurant is exquisite, right down to the perfectly irregular ceramics it serves its exacting dishes on. This dish might seem expensive but it will easily do for three or four people prepared to tuck into pink, supple meat and unctuous, partially rendered fat. For extraordinary value, try it as part of Roka’s bottomless brunch for £51.50 per person plus a £33 supplement and indulge its outrageously good, free-flowing sushi before tucking into the beef.
The rich colour of this dish is a clue to how this blend of tandoor-smoked chicken thigh in a spiced tomato, fenugreek and butter sauce is going to taste. Since the day it opened in Canary Wharf, Chai Ki has stood out from the crowd with its vibrant, flavourful and beautifully presented Indian cooking. Put simply, it’s unafraid to be different and all the better for it. Try this dish with a simple tandoori naan (£2.90).
How do you find Dishoom? Follow the queue. Those people are waiting outside to get a table for a reason. At this time of year, this dish could well be it. A whole turkey leg is marinated overnight before being prepared in the traditional Indian raan style – cooked slowly over a day until it basically melts. The meat is then gently pulled off the bone and piled into a warm brioche bun. Cranberry mayo, spinach, red onions, crispy onions and a slice of brie are added to finish things off. Best enjoyed with slaw, salli crisp-chips and deep-fried green chillies. Order it with the house black dal for something truly indulgent to dip into…
Seoul Bird founder Judy Joo says: “Kimchi and cheese is a combination that is winning fans all around the world – at first bite you’ll surely swoon and taste why. The tangy and spicy notes of kimchi complement and cut through the creamy richness of the cheese, transforming a traditional combination into a fully balanced, deeply satisfying sensation.” But don’t just take her word for it. Grab a fork and dig in yourselves. It’s £9.50 for a large….
Slick and efficient, is the best way to describe a meal at Pho. The chain promises fresh and healthy Vietnamese food and delivers filling, but surprisingly light dishes to order at rapid speed. This punchy curry came served with a ridge of peanuts and a side of “broken rice” that all came together in a beautiful mess of flavours and textures in the mouth. Top tip, add some pickled chillies and garlic.
Wowzer, this is one hot bowl, as sizzling as the late 20th century soundtrack that plays over this evergreen Japanese ramen specialist. Think Footloose, It Wasn’t Me and Under Pressure for the ear worms and thin, glorious noodles soaked in Kakara miso paste, dashi broth and garlic oil on the tongue. There’s serious depth here with plenty of bean sprouts, kikurage mushrooms and fried tofu to top what lies beneath…
Is this umami-packed little bowl of fish dashi and noodles the best value dish in Canary Wharf? At 243 calories (for the small bowl), it’s a warming, simple snack. But in a complicated world there’s a lot to be said for purity, clarity and excellence. This is traditional Japanese comfort food at its best and you’ll still get change from a fiver (at least you would if anyone actually paid in cash any more).
NORTH, SOUTH OR CENTRAL
The fourth strand is North, South Or Central – a grouping that could be subtitled This Is Americas (in homage to Childish Gambino).
Whether it’s the full-on, bombastic cuisine of the USA with burgers and BBQ, the refined cuts of Argentina or the spice of central and South America, there’s plenty to try and experience. Here are a few places to start…
The British burger brand has long looked to the States for its inspiration with offerings named Ari Gold and Smokey Robinson. Little surprise then that this year’s festive burger channels James Dean. It’s a burger built aroung Ogleshield cheese, billed as “the West Country’s answer to Raclette” and promises a pungent, melting partner to the dry-aged beef patty. Italian pancetta and red currant jam are also within to add something of a pigs-in-blankets vibe with just a little sweetness on the side. Eat at a festive celebration with the team or simply on your own with rebellion in your heart.
There’s something about the smell of smoke as you walk into Big Easy that, when combined with the strains of raunchy blues guitar, makes you wish you were wearin’ cowboy boots, a plaid shirt and sportin’ a stetson. The food it serves is perfect for those whose heels have bin’ hittin’ the boards, with plentiful portions of home-smoked meats. Go for the venue’s express menu, which includes a beverage such as a half pint of lager, a glass of Prosecco or a soft drink for £10. The Taste-O-Rama is top of the list and acts as a culinary tour of the food on offer. Expect a dish groaning with pulled pork, chicken, Texas hot links, pork rib, Bar.B.Q beans and house slaw with a sweet little cornbread cake at its heart. Rapidly served it’s a good ol’ lunchtime treat.
While Gaucho is unequestionably a steak specialist and there’s a fillet and a ribeye on the chain’s seasonal four-course set menu, beef is far from the only attraction. Top billing goes to an Argentinian twist on traditions with the chimichurri butter roasted turkey. There’s also a whole grilled sea bass for fish lovers and a mushroom tagliatelle with truffle oil for those who prefer to avoid meat altogether.
This innocent-looking bowl of burrito ingredients (conceived, presumably for those who insanely prefer to eschew carbs) must not be underestimated. Mention to your server that you like it spicy and they will be more than happy to oblige, dressing the chunky cubes of beef in a sizzling hot sauce that’s enough to warm anyone on a winter’s day. But then what else would you expect from a chain named after a smoked chilli?
You’ll have to wait until November 22 for these, but just look at them… The brand’s development chef, Leo Da Cruz says: “The Christmas Ham Hock Taco is a dish I’m really excited about. We’ve combined a familiar festive ingredient, with a whole host of flavours and spices inspired by Mexico.
“It’s topped with pink pickled onions and crispy crackling pieces. You can also dig into all these flavours and more in our sharing festive feast.”
This Christmas menu will be available until December 24, 2023, costs £35 per person and is available for parties of six or more. Flavours include the likes of smoky Sonoran hummus, golden roast cauliflower, churros with sprinkles and, of course, ham hock served with a crispy crackling crown.
Fancy a plate piled high with mashed polenta and lamb shank drizzled with a balsamic vinegar sauce? Then California-inspired restaurant Feels Like June is the place to go. Located on the ground floor of the Tribe London Canary Wharf hotel in Wood Wharf, the venue promises a sunny welcome year-round. For Christmas, it’s offering a three-course set menu available until Christmas Day, featuring the likes of beef tartare, clam chowder and mushroom and truffle arancini to start. Mains include the lamb, a duck breast fillet and a cauliflower steak. For dessert, there’s red velvet cake with hot fudge and chocolate sauce, gingerbread cheesecake with chantilly cream or a spiced chocolate mousse. Feeling festive yet?
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
There’s a new beauty treatment in town. Third Space Spa in Canary Wharf’s Canada Square recently added Jovena Face Stim to its extensive range of aesthetic and wellbeing services.
While the largest luxury health club in Europe has plenty of ways to train the body’s muscles, the spa’s new machine offers a way to work out facial muscles with the aim of tightening and toning the skin to give clients a healthier and younger appearance.
The treatment, which costs £250 per session, promises visible results after the first application, with a course of six recommended.
Third Space is currently offering customers £50 off their first treatment. Those booking five sessions will get a sixth for free.
what do you get for your money?
Each session lasts approximately one hour, which includes cleansing, radio frequency therapy and muscle stimulation.
tell us more
“It’s a two-part facial, although you can also have them done in isolation,” said Third Space Spa therapist, Samelia Connor.
“The Jovena Face Stim treatment begins with a radio frequency procedure, which tightens the skin and boosts collagen production.
then what happens?
“The second part is the facial stimulation,” said Samelia. “It causes contractions in the face, so it’s working the muscles to create a lifting effect for the skin.
“We can target the right muscles to achieve the effect. In combination, you get tightening and lifting, which works with your existing skin regime.”
what are the benefits?
“From what I’ve seen with my clients, it gives them a more youthful appearance and I feel like that’s something everyone is looking for,” said Samelia, who has been a therapist for more than seven years, relocating to the UK from the Caribbean following a hurricane.
“Even if, like me, you’re in your 20s, you still want to look fresh.”
how does it feel?
“It’s quite relaxing,” said Samelia. “When someone invests in their skin, I feel like they know the procedure will benefit them and when you see the instant results, you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth.
“For longer lasting results, I would recommend the full course of six. It’s for men and women.
“Before there was a stigma about men getting treatments but now it’s seen as self care.
“Whoever you are, if you’re doing a presentation or appearing at an event, you want to look your very best.”
THE DETAILS
Jovena Face Stim, Third Space Spa
The cost per treatment is normally £250 per session
Third Space Spa’s introductory offer is £50 off a first treatment
Therapists recommend a course of six treatments for longer-lasting results. The spa offers six for the price of five
The two-stage procedure takes around an hour to complete
Instantly visible results are promised after one session
Third Space Spa is accessible to members and non-members at Third Space in Canada Square. A first Jovena Face Stim costs £200.
I am – in some ways – the ideal candidate to experience this treatment for a review.
My body has been blessed with many things, but prominent bone structure is not one of them.
I am therefore a good guinea pig to road test a treatment that claims to produce results of lifting, sculpting and tightening after only the first session.
Before my appointment at Third Space Spa for the Jovena Face Stim, I’ve also accidentally gone out every night for a week and my skin is definitely a bit dull and dehydrated.
The treatment is meant to promote a refreshed appearance, so I’m giving the technology a serious challenge.
To start things off, my face is cleansed. Then it all gets a bit unusual.
Conductive gel is applied and a little, warm device is moved over one half of my face. It’s like a small, friendly koala is massaging me with his tiny fingers.
This is the radio frequency treatment – the part that stimulates collagen production and, once I got used to the sensation, it was quite relaxing.
Then comes the next step and things get even more unusual.
This is the part where the therapist stimulates the muscles in your face like a mini gym work out.
It’s done with the same wand, but the koala has gone on his break.
The first jolt is definitely a shock – it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. Is it an electric pulse? Suction? It feels a little bit like an epilator.
It pulses all over one half of my face and this is where my therapist Samelia’s professionalism comes into play.
While the first few applications are a bit alarming her soft, hushed tones are there and she makes me laugh.
It’s not the most comfortable I have been in my life, but by the time we get round to doing the other half of my face I’ve gotten so used to things I’ve zoned out and am thinking about something else entirely.
The treatment begins with facial cleansing
The session ends with the removal of the conductive gel and a soothing application of moisturiser.
The results? In the mirror there stands before me someone who’s apparently had seven nights of blissful eight-hour sleep and green tea before bed.
The puffiness under my eyes is gone and it’s the same for my cheeks.
My skin is glowing, hydrated, smooth and tight. But that isn’t all.
The changes are subtle, but definitely there.
There is, without doubt, a small part of my chin that has been sucked up into my jaw.
The sides of my face are straighter and – what’s this? I can actually see an ever-so-small curve of a cheekbone.
Days later my skin feels just as smooth.
I’m amazed the results are still there when I wake up.
This is definitely not a typical facial but, with effects like these, bring on more koala massage and face pulsing.
- Jon Massey is co-founder and editorial director of Wharf Life and writes about a wide range of subjects in Canary Wharf, Docklands and east London - contact via jon.massey@wharf-life.com
