“A thriving Armed Forces Community that is valued and supported by society”
An Armed Forces Engagement Conference
facilitated by Cobseo, sponsored by the Drapers’ Company
Bringing the City of London together on London Poppy Day to support the Armed Forces Community
Thursday, 30 October 2025: 1030 – midday at Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DQ
Yes, I can’t resist an obscure reference to a 1993 parody B, but fun, film, Hot Shots! Part Deux. Pepys Day! Part Deux was also enormous fun with a bit of parody thrown in too.
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[An edited version of this article appeared as “Pepys Day: Raise A Toast To London’s Best Diarist” in City AM on 2 September 2025]
Friday, 5 September 2025, marks the second annual Pepys Day in London. If you missed last year’s inaugural celebration, you’ll want to grab your quill and parchment (or smartphone) to register immediately. Samuel Pepys and his diaries of the Great Fire are to London as James Joyce and Bloomsday are to Dublin.
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Since the beginning of the year I’ve already spent five weeks abroad, three visiting family in the US and two in Asia, leading me to wonder if being Lord Mayor isn’t such a tough roadshow. Lots of fun, and just sharing a few links to Korea and China if you want to skim a bit of what I was up to:
Seoul – https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10451919, https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-
Incheon – https://www.incheon.go.kr/en/EN020401/3005067
Guangzhou – https://www.gduf.edu.cn/info/1037/13401.htm
Shenzhen – https://en.cdi.org.cn/
Great news to share…
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So there we were, finally getting a private holiday in after a busy year, when you realise you have a lot of reading time ahead learning about the central position of Tyrol and Maximilian I in European history. Lots to look forward to in 2025. With all best wishes for the New Year to family, friends, colleagues, and anyone else reading this!
It was a cordially-contested election with a result of 70% in my favour. My acceptance remarks this evening went:
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Alderman, Ladies & Gentlemen,
After one of his lengthy, repetitive speeches Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev confronted his speechwriter. “I asked for a 15 minute speech, but that lasted an hour!” The speechwriter replied: “Comrade, it was 15 minutes, but I gave you four copies…”. You’ll be glad to hear I have a single copy.
Remarks to: Graduation Ceremonies, Birkbeck College, University of London, on receiving a Fellowship, Winter 2024
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Re-Elect Professor Michael Mainelli for Alderman of Broad Street Ward
Today I submitted my papers to stand for a third term as Alderman for Broad Street Ward.
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