It was a distinct honour to be elected to an Honorary Fellowship at Kings College London (KCL) in 2021. Due to pandemic restrictions, ceremonies were delayed over three years. In the past few weeks, KCL has held nearly 50 graduation ceremonies, against a ‘normal’ 15 or so. At one point I got singled out with this most kind citation:
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I was pleased that the Court of Aldermen saw fit to announce their support for my candidacy as Lord Mayor of the City of London, 2023-2024. Subject to election by the Livery, that role would take effect on 10 November 2023 and end on 10 November 2024. The letter is here, and FT coverage here. Yes, Elisabeth and I are delighted. We want to use the role to deliver benefits for the City, London, the nation, and beyond. My working theme is to celebrate our ‘Knowledge Mile’. All planning ideas appreciated this side of September 2023! After that it moves over to delivery for 12 months.
During the course of the mayoral year the Lord Mayor undertakes over 2500 civic, diplomatic, business and political engagements, spending around 100 days of year on international visit to promote UK financial and professional services. As a result, the Lord Mayor has an incredibly busy diary and needs to balance many competing priorities. The diary process for the Lord Mayor and Mansion House is managed by the Diary Manager Maris Kraulins maris.kraulins@cityoflondon.gov.uk. Please share any requests with the Diary Manager and these will be reviewed in early 2023 with advice given and decisions taken.
I really look forward to working with everyone on making this forthcoming Mayoralty year a small force for good. And for a bit of perspective on the role:
“In ancient times the chief civic magistrate was styled the Reve, or Portreve, but in 1207 John changed this title to that of Mayor. The appellation of Lord was first prefixed in the fourth charter of Edward III., when the honour of having gold or silver maces borne before him was conferred on the “Lord Mayor,” who ranked moreover as an earl. His duties are multiplex and ubiquitous. In his own person he represents all the rights and privileges of the Corporation. He is said to hold the same relation to the City as the Crown does to the rest of the kingdom. He is chief butler at the coronation of the sovereign, lord-lieutenant of the county of London, clerk of the markets, gauger of wine and oil, meter of coals and grain, salt and fruit, conservator of the Thames, admiral of the port, justice of gaol delivery for Newgate, chairman of every committee he attends, and subject to many other burdens.”
The Corporation of London: Its Rights and Privileges
by William Ferneley Allen, Sheriff of London and Middlesex, and Alderman of the ward of Cheap (1858).
A few, very few, have wondered what the seasonal artisanal brewing company of Scobby Dobby Doo Brewery GmbH got up to in early 2022, especially after the stupendous season that was last year.
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Elisabeth and I spent a week in the Netherlands during April. Ostensibly, we went to see our daughter, Xenia, during her studies in Delft. We were a bit miffed to find out there were no rooms at the inns of Delft and we’d have to stay in Rotterdam, until we found out that it’s only a seven minute train ride from Rotterdam to Delft, and further discovered the warmth and fun Rotterdam and the area had to offer.
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Masters Groups 21-22, 22-23
Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, Drapers’ Hall, 7 February 2022
Aldermen, Prime Wardens, Future Masters, Ladies & Gentlemen,
It is an honour to be asked by this evening’s mastermind, Erica Stary, to address such an extensive group here in the best ward of the City of London, in the very hall where I decided to become a liveryman of the World Traders. Perhaps we should call this the Masters’ Open.
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Another Michael Mainelli, my Dad, passed away over the weekend, at home, peacefully in his 87th year, with all of the family able to see him the week before. While other windows will open anew for all of us, a small, treasured window on my universe has shut.
One Term Sheriffs
We, Chris Hayward and I, have just completed a rare two-year term as Sheriffs, the first two consecutive terms since 1228 AD. We, and our spouses, Elisabeth and Alex, are still adjusting to having left our Clerkenwell Cottages at Old Bailey, with 18 courts, 400,000 square feet of offices, 74 jail cells, two cabinets of medieval torture equipment, and no television, and have moved back to our homes. It’s nice to have television, and to be able to call our former ‘consorts’ ‘spouses’.
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Closure Report On “The Sheriffs Of The City Of London & The Financial Services Group Of Livery Companies’ Anti-Money Laundering Taskforce 2019-2021”
Overview
The City of London Sheriffs for 2019-2021, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli and Chris Hayward CC, chose “Primacy of Rule of Law” as their shrieval theme. Connecting this primacy with ordinary businesspeople, they chose to use the convening power of the Sheriffs’ office to promote discussion around “strengthening and simplifying anti-money laundering” (AML) in the UK. This is based around a core challenge increasingly important to the economic health of the UK:
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“If the UK is open for business, then try opening a bank account?”
At 10:15 on Friday, 1 October 2021, at Temple Pier, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman William Russell, piped away his two Sheriffs, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli and Chris Hayward CC. Having completed an extraordinary two-year term of office, the first time since 1228 AD, the two Sheriffs boarded the City of London Corporation Thames Waterman cutter to be rowed away downriver and out to sea by a rowing crew under the command of Jon Averns, Director of Markets & Consumer Protection [don’t worry, they were safely ashore at Tower Pier about 11:00].
Well, all good things come to an end, and after two years rather than one, a good one.
Our address to Common Hall was as Carry On Sheriffs for our Late Sheriffs Reply To Vote Of Thanks
Common Hall, Wednesday, 29 September 2021, Guildhall
Two “muted” signs in front of microphone stands.
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