“Bright Lights, Open Minds, Robust Community”
Remarks to: Middle Temple for my Bench Call on 4 February 2023. Honorary Benchers are required to make a short speech, no shorter than three minutes and no longer than four. A bit of interesting vespertilian history & legend therein, though perhaps a bit of lost accuracy along the way.
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I am delighted, as Chairman of the historic Emanuel Hospital Charitable Trust administered by the City of London Corporation to share the news that we have awarded over £650k to Age UK to provide vital advice and support to help thousands of older Londoners through the cost of living crisis. Read more.
Remarks to: Trades House Of Glasgow, by Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli on Wednesday, 12 October 2022
Deacon Convener, Deputy Lord Provost, Lord Dean of Guild, Collector of the House, most Distinguished Guests – well all guests actually, Ladies and gentlemen… May I make a special mention of my dinner companion, the Senior Deacon Convenor, Sir Robert Smith.
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Remarks to: Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers Alias Wire Workers by Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli on Tuesday, 11 October 2022.
Master, Wardens, Visiting Masters, Ladies and Gentlemen,
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Remarks to: The 39th Cambridge International Symposium On Economic Crime, by Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, Monday, 5 September 2022, at Jesus College, Cambridge
“Could A Little Bit Of Corruption Be A Good Thing”
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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).
Remarks to: Future Past Masters’ Associations (sic) 21-22 & 22-23 by Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, Drapers’ Hall
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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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Remarks to: Pollinating London Together, Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers & others, 16 September 2021, Mansion House, by Alderman & Sheriff Professor Michael Mainelli.
Lady Mayoress, Masters, Aldermen, Ladies & Gentlemen:
As a teenager, I worked in a family bee business with some 300 hives at one point. I was delighted as I rode by Drapers’ Hall yesterday, on my Ride Round The Range with seven of the HAC Light Cavalry and two police horses to go through my ward of Broad Street. One of the most entrepreneurial wards where, earlier this year, one of our cannabis businesses was shut down, otherwise the two hives on the roof of Mansion House might be famous for some infused products.
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Remarks to: Worshipful Company of Bakers Livery Lunch,
Wednesday, 1 September 2021, Bakers’ Hall, London, by Alderman & Sheriff Professor Michael Mainelli.
Master, Alderman, Brother Sheriff, Warden, Ladies & Gentlemen,
Well, we are back at a physical event at last and no longer have to utter those immortal words ‘you are on mute’! As someone suggested to me last week at the Central Criminal Court, it feels a bit like ‘being let out of prison’.
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