A Hacking Defence

The HAC Light Cavalry are the bodyguards for the Lady Mayoress, while I am solidly defended by the HAC Company of Pikemen & Musketeers. The HAC Light Cavalry was originally formed in 1861, then later absorbed into the Horse Artillery element of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) in 1891. Today the Light Cavalry operate as a non-profit organisation offering hacks and lessons on our forward going military parade horses.  You can join and support too, going riding with them or undertaking dismounted duties.

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Questioning Hilbert’s Questions?

I was delighted with this month’s Centre for Management Consulting Excellence’s publication of “Fundamental Questions for Consulting Excellence: A framework for research and progress to date” in association with the British Academy of Management. I was pleased that we took an approach back in 2021 that riffed off of Hilbert’s Problems. In short, the important thing is to pose the questions.

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William Harvey Day 2024 – Queen Mary, University of London; Barts Charity

William Harvey (1 April 1578 – 3 June 1657) was an English physician who made influential contributions in anatomy and physiology. The William Harvey Annual Review is a one-day internal conference that celebrates the most outstanding research activities within the Institute. 

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“Paganini Non Ripete” – City Festival Of Music, Invention & Knowledge – 10 October till 24 October

“Paganini never repeats”, is a tribute to the maestro’s improvisation virtuosity, but also a good reminder that live performances are once in a lifetime. An enormous range of events from this year’s biggest City of London Festival are now available to book online – https://www.musicinoffices.com/cityfestival!

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Watercolours From Thurso, The Thames & Tahiti

Elisabeth and I like the artist William Alister Macdonald a lot, having chosen his work to grace our invitation cards celebrating our connections with the Thames and Thames sailing barges. But there is a frisson of imposter syndrome when you’re asked to write a foreword to a book for an artist you like a lot, but on whom you are no expert. Such was the case when Ian Macdonald asked me to provide a foreword for his book about his great-great-uncle William Alister Macdonald.

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Ringing The Short Change

In proper City tradition, as part of ringing the long change, we now begin easing out of office with the election of the 696th Lord Mayor, Alastair King, taking office on 7 November. Here’s my reply to the vote of thanks given to me for the year so far at Common Hall by Master World Trader, Michael Larsen.

“Fellow Aldermen, Mr Recorder, Sheriffs, Chief Commoner, Master World Trader, Masters, officers, Fellow Liverymen,

It has been an incredible honour to serve as the 695th Lord Mayor of the City of London…a place we now all term “the world’s oldest democratic worker’s and resident’s cooperative”. Thank you, Master World Trader, for your kind words. I am eternally grateful for the support of my mother livery.

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