Remarks to:
Worshipful Company Of Wax Chandlers
Alderman & Sheriff Professor Michael Mainelli FCCA FCSI(Hon) FBCS, Wednesday, 8 January 2020, Wax Chandlers’ Hall
“Bees Repaired”
Master, Wardens, Liverymen, Fellow Guests:
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Wicious Wolpertinger – The Hunting Expeditions Of Several Years
In 2007 in Munich I presented the strategic work we had been doing for a client, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, to their assembled delegates from around the world. PEFC is the world’s largest forest certification organisation, so not unnaturally, they chose to hold the event in the magnificent, yet slightly quirky, Deutsches Jagd- und Fischereimuseum München.
Kids’ Lit Quiz – Most Inspiring
I had the delight today of speaking and presenting awards for the Kids’ Lit Quiz National Finals held at City of London School. The amazing author, Cressida Cowell, Waterstones Children’s Laureate, she of “How To Tame Your Dragon” and “The Wizards Of Once” fame, also spoke and awarded the prizes. The prize? An all-expenses paid trip to New Zealand for five to compete in the World Final https://www.kidslitquiz.com/world-final.php.
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Research Into Motion
Remarks to:
The Centre for Management Consulting Excellence’s Research Awards & Urwick Cup Conference, Worshipful Company of Management Consultants
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Court Number One, And Two Bob
At the insightful suggestion of Mark Lucraft, Brother Sheriff Chris Hayward CC and I began selling signed copies of Thomas Grant’s “Court Number One” (2019) at the list price of £25 with the proceeds (45%) going to support witnesses and the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund. Somewhat to our surprise, they seem to go down very well with guests to the Central Criminal Courts.
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Rule Of Survey
Environmental Social Governance of Investment
Remarks to:
The Guild of Investment Managers at Farmers’ & Fletchers’ Hall, City of London, Thursday, 17 October 2019
My fellow Alderman and your Master, Robert Hughes-Penney, kindly asked me to provide some opening remarks. I do wish I could stay longer, but as fellow Livery folk, you’ll understand that an Immediate Past Master of the World Traders needs to attend our Installation Dinner at 19:00 to become an Immediate Past Past Master or an Immediate Immediate Past Master, or some such.
The comedian Jay Leno once quipped, “According to a new UN report, the global warming outlook is much worse than originally predicted. Which is pretty bad when they originally predicted it would destroy the planet.” Sadly, that quip was from 2007.
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World Exchange Forum – Innovation & Transformation
My dear friend Herbie Skeete heads up MondoVisione. His 2019 Forum at Haberdashers’ Hall led to some great insights on the nature of global finance. The highlight was probably an address and interview with Gina Miller, the campaigner behind two Brexit court cases.
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Piper The Puffin
Today I hosted my first luncheon with the Judges and five guests. An amazing re-introduction to the hard work all the judiciary do, particularly as the case we followed today was rather harrowing with children and murder involved. For some light relief, a dear friend, Bill Joseph, sent the following limerick to start off a year of luncheons, for obvious reasons it featured a puffin:
There once was a rather smart puffin
Who distracted the Lords from their judgin.
In his new shrievel chain
With its symbols arcane,
He astounded the room they had lunch in.
Day of Duty – Sheep Drive & The Costermongers’ Pearly Kings & Queens Harvest Festival
Chris Hayward and I headed out for our first day of duty as Sheriffs. On a drizzly Sunday we attended two events. The first is the now traditional Sheep Drive & Wool Fair. This event is kindly hosted by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen, with much other livery support, and this year the organisation was led by a great friend of ours, Judith Pleasance CC. The event itself was inaugurated by the World Traders (have to get that inter-livery rivalry in).
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