Tom Glocer, chief executive of information giant Thomson Reuters, spoke of the historic nature of the election. He said: “Like many Americans of my generation, I feel very proud that in half a century the country has moved from Jim Crow restrictions on the rights of African Americans to vote, attend school and ride in the front of the bus, to the election of Mr Obama.

I feel even prouder that my kids don't think it is such a big deal as they look right past the colour of the President-elect's skin to see the most qualified candidate."