Meet the riders: David Johnston, Wedlake Bell
David Johnston is a partner at London based international law firm, Wedlake Bell, working in its Commercial Real Estate team. This will be his tenth Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM. This is why he is back again to ride in March.
Tell us about yourself and what you’re working on right now:
I help my clients get their deals done. My job is to keep the legals tight, the negotiations pragmatic and the process moving — robust where it matters but always reflecting that it is the client's deal not mine. Lately I’ve been advising IJM Berhad on its acquisition of the 25 Finsbury Circus, ahead of a £150m sustainability‑led refurbishment, and supporting Zeno Capital and Oxygen Asset Management on the redevelopment of 1 Basinghall Avenue. Exactly the kind of complex, city‑shaping work I enjoy.
How did you get involved in Cycle to MIPIM?
I first rode Cycle to MIPIM in 2008 having never ridden more than 100kms in one go, but having been "encouraged" to take part by a client! I got the bike back out of the shed in 2016 and have ridden every edition since.
How long have you been cycling and how did you get into it?
Notwithstanding my naive attempt in 2008, I have been riding a bike since being diagnosed with diabetes in 2013 to help manage my weight and glucose levels. In 2014 my wife was diagnosed with cancer and thankfully the treatment was successful but riding my bike helped me process what was going on. Supporting Cyclists Fighting Cancer is very close to my heart.
What have you most enjoyed about riding Cycle to MIPIM previously?
Normally just finishing! There have been times when I have been fitter, stronger and lighter but the memories are less about the amazing climbs, descents or sunrises and more getting to know new friends and contacts in the industry when we are all being far less "corporate" than usual.
What are you most looking forward to?
Spending time chatting to new people in the peloton and the sunny tailwinds that we keep being promised……
What are you dreading?
Sub-zero 6.30am starts, rain and strong headwinds – when you think about it, you wouldn't choose to do it unless it were for the shared endeavour and the charities.
How are you approaching training?
It's a marathon not a sprint – getting time in the saddle in all weathers is probably better than failing to hone my physique in the gym or on an indoor trainer.
Any top tips for new riders?
The ride is amazing but the friendships and business relationships formed are even better. On the bike, don’t feel overawed by the distances - just think about a single stage or maybe just the next 10km. Most of all, keep talking, it makes the KMs fly by.
What would you most like to get out of the event?
Seeing people new to cycling achieving things they never thought possible due to the "one for all" ethos of the ride. There is a special bond formed when you are pushing yourself to your limits as a group rather than just on your own. I am also looking forward to passing the baton on to a new generation of riders.
What does the fundraising mean to you?
This will be my 18th "big" ride with Club Peloton and I am aware what a privilege that is. Meeting and getting to know the people behind the charities and how the grants from Club Peloton are used to help people going through far harder times than me or who have had less opportunities is humbling.
What changes does your business expect to see over the next year?
It’s easy to focus on the patchy market, but there are real pockets of momentum. Strong demand for high‑quality space is driving some brilliant redevelopment and re-use projects. Most of my recent work has been about evolving older commercial buildings to meet modern working expectations. At a firm-wide level and as with all sectors, AI has arrived and will fundamentally transform the way we work. We're focusing hard on making sure that this happens in the right way to best serve our clients.
You can sponsor David here.
