Daniel Kemdeng, finding a home he can hardly believe exists in London

For Daniel Kemdeng, banker, entrepreneur, and one of the first residents to move into Canary Wharf’s evolving riverside neighbourhoods, the area offers more than convenience. 

“I was one of the first residents to move in. It was convenient for me to get to work, but also because of the sense of community. We created a lockdown bubble in our building- and I will say, it was the best lockdown ever.” 

For him, Canary Wharf provides the ideal environment to balance work, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle. “It’s the perfect place to develop my career in banking, run my coffee business, and feel at home by the river and parks,” he explains. “I first moved here because it’s close to my office, but the sense of community, location, and nature keep me here.” 

Daniel’s definition of ambition goes beyond career success. “Ambition to me means purpose. Everyone has their purpose, and mine is to fight against poverty.” Canary Wharf’s diversity and connectivity support that vision. “The area is very diverse. You have people from different countries, different cultures, different business mindsets. It’s very important to me to be able to connect with all these people.” 

He points to the ways Canary Wharf fosters engagement and social impact. “Canary Wharf brings people together. We’re all different and working towards our own things – last week I spoke at a panel to help kids in Tower Hamlets. As a banker and a coffee farmer, it’s so important for me to be able to connect with people in the community around me.” 

For Daniel, Canary Wharf is more than a place to live or work. Between the riverside parks, diverse neighbours, and opportunities for both professional growth and social impact, it’s a place where ambition isn’t just imagined, it’s lived.