Professor Michael Mainelli, World Technology Congress, Thursday, 23 April 2026, Lake Como, Italy Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I want to begin with a confession. I came to Lake Como this week telling myself it was a professional duty. But…
Spending poisson d’avril by the French Alps and now able to marry it with German Backfisch, I was also able to hone my Holmes’ skills and solve one of life’s circular mysteries before noon.
A Response From The Guests To The United Wards Club Professor Michael Mainelli, Guildhall, 16 March 2026 President, Past President, Past Past Presidents, Chairmen, Masters, Ward Club members, distinguished guests all:
Thirty-two Broad Street Ward Club members and guests attended a special whisky tasting at the Guildhall during Burn’s Week, hosted by Chairman Richard Muir with excellent tutoring from John McCheyne, Master Brand Ambassador at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
As many know, I had a vicarious frisson from the ex officio post of Admiral of the Port of London which I held in 2023 and 2024 as Lord Mayor. The post is ancient and today honorific. In trying to…
This week King’s College London hosted the Anniversary of the Magna Charta Universitatum (MCU), a celebration and exploration of the fundamental values of being a university. Over 200 universities have gathered to discuss ‘What are universities for? Higher education principles,…
Today’s Lady Mayor Show reminded me to share a little history about the mace that accompanies me in the Show, in turn accompanied by the Broad Street Ward Beadle.
My dear friend Dr Geoff Browell and his team, Tam McDonald, Christopher Winn, and Mark Mason, producers of the London Timeline podcast, had the courage to ask me to hold forth on an eclectic and personal view of London’s history…
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.
[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…
