DEVELOPERS AND HOME OWNERS ARE INVESTING IN NORTH LONDON
IS IT the lights in the tower cranes winking in the night-time sky? The bars, bistros and baristas competing with the chicken shops, charity stores and bookmakers for the local pound? Or simply the multi-millions in bricks and mortar investment being pumped in by developers?
Whatever the visible signs that an area has that coveted quality of ‘potential’, few would currently bet against the prospects of Brent Cross, Cricklewood and Wembley in north London. These hitherto unfashionable swathes on either side of the North Circular are undergoing the sort of rapid transformations possibly not seen since London’s post-war reconstruction.
Work to dramatically transform Brent Cross Shopping Centre and the surrounding area is due to start this year, following the government’s approval of two compulsory purchase orders. According to Barnet Council, the regeneration will create a sustainable new town centre for north London, bring more than 7,500 new homes, substantial commercial and retail space and improved transport links over 151 hectares. Plans for the historic shopping centre include 60 restaurants and 200 new stores, turning it into a retail and leisure complex to rival Westfield.
Meanwhile, the regeneration of Wembley, part of the London borough of Brent, is one of the largest projects of its kind in the country. According to the mayor of London, the area can accommodate as many as 11,500 new homes and 10,000 new jobs through the development of
sites along Wembley High Road and the land around Wembley Stadium.
Together these northwest London schemes are expected to provide a major boost to prosperity in surrounding areas, as well as opportunities for buyers, renters and investors.
According to property experts, there are many factors to consider when entering any sector of the market. However, one surefire indicator for property hotspots is regeneration. Areas that receive considerable cash injections are generally considered promising locations for investment, whether buy to let or otherwise. This is partly because when rundown areas are improved through major schemes and more modern facilities, they become magnets for larger cross-sections of the population whose urban aspirations will reflect the transformation of the surrounding landscape.
The Brent Cross-Cricklewood regeneration area is made up of three distinct zones.
Brent Cross London will see the modernised and extended shopping centre, improvements to critical road infrastructure as well as cycling and pedestrian access. This is being delivered by Hammerson and Standard Life Investments.
Brent Cross South will see the creation of a new high street south of the North Circular, including 6,700 new homes, commercial development and new and improved community facilities and public spaces. This is being delivered by Argent Related as joint venture partner with Barnet Council.
The third tranche of the scheme will see a new Brent Cross West Thameslink station and associated infrastructure works to provide pedestrian, cycling and vehicle links across the railway and replace outdated waste and freight facilities. This will be delivered by Barnet Council in partnership with Network Rail.
Richard Cornelius, the leader of Barnet Council, told Eastern Eye: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a major part of our borough to be transformed, creating thousands of new jobs and homes. Securing the agreement signifies our partners’ confidence in the scheme and London’s future.
“I am sure that together we will be able to breathe new life into this area and create a thriving London neighbourhood which will be a model for the 21st century.”
A spokesman for Hammerson and Standard Life Investments said: “As one of London’s key strategic growth projects, we are committed to bringing forward this major regeneration project which will create a vibrant new town centre for north London and will transform Brent Cross Shopping Centre so that it can continue to play its central role in both the local community and London.”
Meanwhile, the property giant behind the £3 billion transformation of Wembley Park has outlined the latest stage of the creation of a new town centre around the national stadium. Developer Quintain unveiled its scheme at an event at Wembley for a further 250,000 sq ft of shops, food outlets, restaurants and bars at the 85-acre site, doubling what has already been constructed.
The major finished element so far is the London Designer Outlet shopping centre, while Boxpark Wembley, London’s third street food and bar mall, constructed entirely from shipping containers, is set to be launched later this year.
The next stage will involve the creation of 7,000 homes, offices, a massive gym and a park with a swimming lake. A new live music venue is also being considered.
Quintain has released graphics illustrating how the area will appear by 2027, a quarter of a century after the original home of the Three Lions was knocked down, kickstarting the current regeneration.
Back then it was a rundown neighbourhood of light industrial estates around the ageing stadium that was first opened for a sporting event in 1923. The surrounding Wembley Park had been specifically created for the British Empire Exhibition two years later.
Quintain’s retail director Matt Slade said that the current transformation would result in a destination area for shopping, living and leisure. “It’s about creating a place to live, a place to work, a place to shop, regardless of what’s happening at the stadium.”
The developer has planning permission for a total of 6,955 homes at Wembley Park, of which 995 have already been completed. Of these, 4,874 homes will be built to rent; 2,081 homes will be either for sale, shared ownership or managed by a housing association.
The homes for rent are via letting experts Tipi. Samsung Electronics has signed a multi-million-pound contract with Quintain to supply digital appliances to more than 3,000 of these flats.
Cristina Siladi, sales manager at estate agent Ellis & Co, said there had long been a divide between Wembley Park and Wembley Central. Wembley Park is regarded as the “new” Wembley and the recipient of most of the investment. Consequently, its apartments cost more – some houses in the area have asking prices of more than £1 million.
However, Wembley Central is now undergoing considerable development and could emerge as even better value. “If you look at Wembley High Road, it is really only chicken shops and betting shops,” said Siladi.
She believes that as space for redevelopment around Wembley Park runs out, investors will look more and more to Wembley Central, slightly to the southwest. “It is improving and in a few years’ time, I think it is going to be a lot better,” she added.
Local resident VN Shah told Eastern Eye: “Wembley Central definitely seems on the up after years of neglect. They have improved the station, built a new precinct and are putting up lots of new flats. There is definitely a feeling of change about the place.”
A new two-bedroom flat near Wembley Park would cost around £450,000-£500,000
A three-four-bedroom 1930s house in the area would cost around the same
The Broadway NW2, a new residential development by Fairview New Homes, in Cricklewood, began offering one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for sale in May last year. The development includes three medium-sized business start-up units at ground-floor level.
At the new micro neighbourhood of Gladstone Village in Cricklewood, Octavia Living is offering stylish four-bedroom houses from £895,000. Flats will be available later. Call 0208 208 8355 for details.
A NEW study revealed that India has become the top source of foreign-born founders behind America’s most valuable start-ups, highlighting the country's growing influence in the global technology sector.
Research by Stanford University’s Venture Capital Initiative showed that Indian entrepreneurs have founded 90 "unicorn" companies - start-ups valued at over $1 billion - in the US.
According to the report, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) dominate the rankings, with IIT Delhi leading the pack by producing 16 unicorn founders, including Jyoti Bansal who created AppDynamics. IIT Bombay follows closely with 14 founders, while IIT Kanpur has contributed 12, including the team behind cloud computing giant Nutanix.
Among the 165 US unicorn founders who studied at Indian universities, 81 per cent pursued either computer science or engineering degrees, the report noted.
“Indian entrepreneurs have become essential to the US’s innovation economy. India has contributed 141 unicorn founders who received their undergraduate education from Indian universities, again leading all countries outside the US. Most impressively, startups founded by Indian entrepreneurs who relocate to the US are 6.5 times more likely to achieve unicorn status than the average,” author of the report, Ilya A. Strebulaev, told Eastern Eye.
This pattern of immigrant entrepreneurship isn't unique to the US. In Britain, foreign-born founders play an equally vital role in the start-up ecosystem, according to data from Financial Times-backed tracker Sifted.
Despite foreign-born residents making up less than 15 per cent of the UK's population, they account for 39 per cent of the country's 100 fastest-growing companies. The USwas the most common country of birth for foreign-born founders in the UK, followed by Italy, France, Canada, India and Germany.
Asian entrepreneurs have been particularly successful, founding major unicorns including Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Hopin. Data shows that 24 per cent of Britain's unicorn companies now have foreign-born founders, with entrepreneurs coming from 28 different countries across five continents.
According to the Stanford report, California's unicorn companies employ approximately six per cent of their workforce in India on average, making the country the largest international talent pool for these billion-dollar firms. This creates valuable professional networks that often serve as launching pads for future entrepreneurs, as employees gain industry experience before starting their own ventures.
“India's technical education system has created a "national asset" in the global knowledge economy. The success of Indian entrepreneurs in the US also strengthens India's own start-up ecosystem through knowledge transfer, investment flows, and mentorship connections. As technology continues to drive worldwide economic growth, India's position as a primary source of high-impact entrepreneurs looks set to become even more significant in the years ahead,”
Strebulaev, who is the David S. Lobel professor of private equity at Stanford Graduate School of Business, pointed out.
Immigrant entrepreneurs are not just contributing to the US’s innovation boom - they are driving it, the report said. It analysed 1,078 founders behind 500 US unicorns and found that 474 founders came from abroad, representing 65 different countries across six continents.
Beyond individual founders relocating, entire companies are moving to the US to access its unique scaling advantages. The research showed that eight per cent of US unicorns - 88 out of 1,108 companies - were initially founded elsewhere before relocating to US soil. The benefits of this move are dramatic: Israeli start-ups that relocated to the US were nine times more likely to achieve unicorn status than those that remained at home, while Indian companies saw a 6.5-fold improvement in their chances.
“Successful examples of this trend include messaging platform Slack from Canada, gaming engine Unity from Denmark, and meditation app Headspace from Britain. These companies discovered that whilst great ideas can emerge anywhere, the American ecosystem offers unparalleled resources for growth,” the report said.
“Location choices within America also matter significantly. While California remains the top destination, international founders are increasingly strategic about where they establish operations. Israeli entrepreneurs often favour New York over California, and 15 per cent of all US unicorns have moved their headquarters at least once between founding and reaching billion-dollar valuations.”
Analysis of 191 California-based unicorns revealed that only 38 per cent of their 375,000 employees actually work in California. Nearly a third are employed elsewhere in the US, while another third work overseas, creating a truly international workforce.
When measuring entrepreneurial productivity per capita, Israel leads dramatically with 43.4 unicorn founders per 100,000 first-generation immigrants, followed by New Zealand at 37.3 and Belgium at 24.4. By comparison, India produces 2.5 unicorn founders per 100,000 immigrants, though it still contributes the highest absolute number.
The innovation ecosystem in the US thrives precisely because of this global talent mix, the research noted. With nearly equal numbers of US-born and immigrant founders, researchers describe this as "powerful complementarity".
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.
Meta has announced the appointment of Arun Srinivas as the new Managing Director and Head of its India operations. He will assume the role from 1 July 2025, reporting to Sandhya Devanathan, who was recently promoted to oversee Meta's operations in both India and South East Asia.
Expanded role for Srinivas
In his new position, Srinivas will be responsible for aligning Meta’s business, innovation, and revenue priorities to better serve partners and clients across India. His focus will include strengthening strategic relationships with advertisers, developers, and brands, as well as continuing to support Meta’s long-term growth in the region.
Srinivas will lead efforts to drive the company’s India charter and will play a key role in supporting initiatives around Reels, AI, and messaging services, which are key strategic priorities for the tech giant in the country.
Background and previous experience
Srinivas is currently the Director and Head of Ads Business for Meta in India, a position he has held since joining the company in 2020. In that role, he has worked with many of India’s top advertisers and agency partners, contributing to Meta’s growth in the region.
An alumnus of IIM Kolkata, Srinivas brings nearly 30 years of experience in sales and marketing. He has held senior roles at Hindustan Unilever, Reebok, OLA, and investment firm WestBridge Capital.
Leadership comments
Commenting on the appointment, Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President for India and South East Asia, said: “Arun’s track record in building high-performing teams and fostering strong partnerships makes him the ideal leader to drive Meta’s continued investment in India.”
Meta considers India a key growth market and continues to focus on expanding its presence through innovations in AI, Reels, and WhatsApp.
Keep ReadingShow less
President Trump reported earning over $8 million in 2024 from various licensing agreements
The Trump Organization has announced the launch of Trump Mobile, a branded mobile phone service and a $499 smartphone, both expected to debut in September 2025. This marks the latest in a growing list of commercial ventures associated with President Donald Trump.
The 47 Plan: patriotic branding and telecoms offering
Trump Mobile’s service package, dubbed The 47 Plan, will cost $47.45 per month and include unlimited calls, texts, and data. Customers will also receive roadside assistance and access to a “Telehealth and Pharmacy Benefit”. Both the name and pricing of the plan are symbolic, referencing Trump’s political position as the 47th president of the United States.
A smartphone branded as the “T1” will also be available, priced at $499. Promotional images depict the phone with a gold-coloured casing etched with an American flag and the campaign slogan “Make America Great Again” displayed on the home screen.
Primarily a licensing venture
According to the Trump Mobile website, the service is not directly operated by the Trump Organization. Instead, it functions through a licensing agreement. A disclaimer states: “Trump Mobile, its products and services are not designed, developed, manufactured, distributed or sold by The Trump Organization or any of their respective affiliates or principals.”
This approach follows a familiar pattern in Trump’s business dealings, where his name is licensed to products and services in exchange for royalties. Previous examples include Trump-branded watches, trainers, wine, and even Bibles.
Financial and ethical implications
President Trump reported earning over $8 million in 2024 from various licensing agreements. While these ventures present lucrative opportunities, they continue to attract ethical scrutiny due to concerns about a sitting president profiting from branded commercial activity.
Nonetheless, Trump Mobile represents another step in merging political identity with consumer branding.
How it compares in the telecoms market
At $47.45 per month, Trump Mobile’s 47 Plan is more expensive than many competitors. Verizon-owned Visible offers a similar unlimited plan for $25 per month, while Mint Mobile charges $30 for its comparable package.
T1 , priced at $499The Trump Organization
Despite this, Trump Mobile claims to provide “the same coverage as the 3 nationwide phone service carriers”, a reference to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. It also promotes a US-based customer support centre, though representatives have declined to confirm the location for “security reasons”.
Market reception and outlook
While major wireless providers have not commented on the launch, Trump Mobile may appeal to a customer base aligned with President Trump’s brand and values. Whether the venture will gain broader traction in the competitive telecommunications market remains to be seen.
As the launch date approaches, Trump Mobile is likely to generate further attention—both for its political undertones and its attempt to reshape how presidential branding intersects with consumer technology.
Executives from the Madhvani Group, including Shrai Madhvani, his wife Aparna Madhvani, and director Nitin Gadhia, met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the group’s proposed investments in India, including the acquisition of Hindustan National Glass Ltd (HNGIL).
The meeting focused on the group's plans to invest in India through INSCO, which is seeking to acquire HNGIL, the country’s largest container glass manufacturer. The acquisition is currently awaiting approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), following key rulings by the Supreme Court of India on January 29 and May 16, 2025.
On the same day, the Committee of Creditors, led by the State Bank of India, approved INSCO’s resolution plan with 96.14% voting in favour.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the proposed investment, highlighting its potential to generate employment and contribute to India’s economic development.
During the meeting, Madhvani presented Modi with Tide of Fortune, a book written by his late father, Manubhai Madhvani, and Flowers from the Bhagavad Gita, authored by his brother, Kamlesh Madhvani. Aparna Madhvani also shared two poems she had written for the Prime Minister as a personal tribute.
Keep ReadingShow less
Apple iPhones are seen inside India's first Apple retail store in Mumbai, India, April 17, 2023.
NEARLY all iPhones exported by Foxconn from India between March and May were shipped to the United States, according to customs data reviewed by Reuters.
The data showed that 97 per cent of Foxconn’s iPhone exports during this period went to the US, significantly higher than the 2024 average of 50.3 per cent.
This marks a shift in Apple’s export strategy from India, which earlier supplied iPhones to several destinations including the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Britain. Now, India-made devices are being directed almost exclusively to the US market.
Between March and May, Foxconn exported iPhones worth 3.2 billion US dollars (around 2.35 billion pounds) from India, with most shipments heading to the United States. In May 2025 alone, shipments were valued at nearly 1 billion dollars (around 735 million pounds), the second-highest monthly figure after the record 1.3 billion dollars (around 955 million pounds) in March.
Apple declined to comment, and Foxconn did not respond to a Reuters request for a statement.
Tariff pressure
US president Donald Trump on Wednesday said China would face 55 per cent tariffs under a plan agreed in principle by both countries, subject to final approval. India, like many US trading partners, faces a baseline 10 per cent tariff and is negotiating to avoid a 26 per cent “reciprocal” levy that Trump announced and then paused in April.
In May, Trump criticised Apple’s increased production in India. “We are not interested in you building in India, India can take care of themselves, they are doing very well, we want you to build here,” he said, recalling a conversation with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
In the first five months of 2025, Foxconn exported iPhones worth 4.4 billion dollars (around 3.23 billion pounds) to the US from India. This already exceeds the 3.7 billion dollars (around 2.72 billion pounds) shipped in the whole of 2024.
Export push
Apple has been accelerating its iPhone shipments from India to reduce dependence on China amid rising tariffs. In March, the company chartered aircraft to move iPhone 13, 14, 16 and 16e models worth roughly 2 billion dollars (around 1.47 billion pounds) to the US.
Apple has also urged Indian airport authorities to reduce customs clearance time at Chennai airport, a key hub for iPhone exports in Tamil Nadu, from 30 hours to six hours, Reuters has reported.
“We expect made-in-India iPhones to account for 25 per cent to 30 per cent of global iPhone shipments in 2025, as compared to 18 per cent in 2024,” said Prachir Singh, senior analyst at Counterpoint Research.
Tata’s role
Tata Electronics, another Apple iPhone supplier in India, shipped nearly 86 per cent of its iPhones to the US during March and April, the customs data showed. Data for May was not available.
The Tata Group company began exporting iPhones in July 2024. During 2024, 52 per cent of its shipments went to the US, according to the data. Tata declined to comment.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has promoted India as a smartphone manufacturing hub. However, high import duties on mobile phone components continue to make domestic production more expensive than in many other countries.
Apple has historically sold over 60 million iPhones annually in the US, with approximately 80 per cent made in China.