Amidst the often toxic political debates about immigration and asylum seekers, it can be overlooked that we are a nation of international heritage - and have been for millennia.
Here we celebrate just 10 examples of the millions of people who have found sanctuary in the capital city of this drizzly little island, and look at what they have added to society.
Most of us will contribute in our own small ways during our lives, but some will go on to become Olympians, pop stars, actors, politicians or business leaders.
And that is no different among those who find asylum by travelling here to escape from war-torn nations and despotic regimes.
Whether it is Sir Mo’s incredible, gold-medal exploits on the track, the tale of The Tiger Who Came To Tea or the talented singers behind Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now or Your Song we have a lot to be thankful for.
Their contributions stretch from our dinner tables, to our incredible range of restaurants, to music venues and theatres and the seats of power.
London is a diverse, cosmopolitan metropolis due to the arrival of people from around the world.
LondonWorld is proud to celebrate that here.
5. Imad Al Arnab
If you’ve never tried Syrian food and don’t know where to find it in London, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen in Kingly Court is a good place to start. It was opened by Syrian restauranteur Imad Al Arnab in 2021, five years after he moved to London from Damascus with little more than £12 in his pocket – the bus fare to Doncaster to meet his sister. Having owned three restaurants that were bombed in Syria, he started from scratch in London with the help of a charity food pop up – Imad’s was born. He’s releasing his first cookery book on July 6 (published by HQ) containing 120 recipes celebrating the flavours of Syria, named after his restaurant. | The Syrian Kitchen/HQ
6. Alek Wek - model
Born in Wau, South Sudan, international supermodel Alek Wek fled the country with her family when civil war broke out in 1985. She was scouted in Crystal Palace in 1995 by Models 1 and appeared in Tina Turner’s music video for GoldenEye which led to her career take-off. She was MTV’s model of the year in 1997 and became the first Afircan model to appear on the cover of Elle. Over her career she featured in editorials for both British and American Vogue and been the cover star for i-D, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and more. Her success as a dark-skinned model was pioneering and celebrated by Oprah Winfrey and Lupita Nyong’o. (Picture: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images) | Getty Images for Rihanna's Savag
7. The Milibands - politicians
These well-known political brothers were born in London to parents both of Polish Jewish descent. Their mother, Marion Kozak, survived the Holocaust in Poland thanks to protection by Catholic Poles. Their father, Ralph Miliband, fled from Belgium to Britain to avoid Nazi occupation. David and Ed both ended up with accomplished careers in British politics after both reading PPE at Oxford. David has left politics and is now the president of the International Rescue Committee. Ed is the current shadow secretary of state for climate change and Net Zero. Their relationship changed in 2010 when Ed was elected over David to lead the Labour Party. (Picture: Carl de Souza/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
8. Shanta Gaury Pathak - entrepreneur
You don’t have to go far to see the name Patak, whether it’s in a supermarket or on your kitchen shelf. The UK brand of Indian-inspired curry pastes and sauces was founded in London in 1957 by Shanta Gaury Pathak and her husband. They fled the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, arriving to London with nothing. While her husband worked as a cleaner, she decided to make sweets and samosas for sale from their Kentish Town flat. The business was sold to Associated British Foods in 2007 for £200 million. | André Langlois/the family