News and Views
News and Views
19 December 2023
My Year as The Sheriff of the City of London
It has been a full and enjoyable year serving you as the Sheriff of the City of London. As an elected representative I believe I have a duty to report on my performance to my electorate, which I hope many of you will have seen through the various platforms of social media, Member's Reports, and via my website gallery and regular blogs. As the Shrieval year draws to a close, I am pleased to share a summary of the past year.
More13 August 2023
July….soldier, sailor…..
A very busy month filled with significant events…amongst many others.
More12 July 2023
A tale of Three Cities…
June saw visits to key cities of York and Glasgow, and numerous events in the City of London.
More19 June 2023
Of Royalty, charity… three funerals and a wedding
The unquestioned highlight of May - having lost my Father, my beloved Aunt, and Marian her Mum all in the last few weeks - was our getting married at St Bride’s Church followed by a Wedding Lunch at The Old Bailey. Apparently becoming the first serving Sheriff to have been married in their year of office. Oh! And yes, there was a Coronation too.
More14 May 2023
A World First …..
Leaders from the PE, VC, valuation, fund management, pensions, insurance, risk, reinsurance, accountancy, innovation, banking, academic, creative, asset management, tax, and M&A industries gathered at the Old Bailey to engage in a lively debate following ‘A world first’ presentation from Brand Finance.
More08 May 2023
Energy - Context, Clarity and Challenge
Delighted to be the Guest Speaker – alongside Past Master Fueller HRH The Duke of Edinburgh - at the Election Luncheon of The Fuellers where I called for less ‘Greenwash’ and more Context, Clarity and Challenge from experts if we are to achieve a sensible transition to affordable, accessible and acceptable future energy supplies.
More15 April 2023
March…. Quite a month
… Well, it’s been quite a month. In addition to attending some 18 dinners and 13 lunches, there have been occasions of State – The Presentation of Addresses to HM The King at Buckingham Palace as one of the 27 Privileged Bodies (First time since 2012), and the rare Ceremonial Opening of Temple Bar Gates to enable the monarch, or in this case his Representative, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, to enter The City.
More27 February 2023
Lest we Forget…
… February 24th saw the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Europe’s largest country by landmass, and a European war which has cost tens of thousands of lives on both sides, and Europe's largest refugee and IDP crisis since World War II. But remember, the Ukrainians have been at war with Russia for 8 years, since February 2014, when they illegally annexed The Crimea and Donetsk and Luhansk in the Southern Donbas, claiming them as ‘Federal Districts’.
More06 February 2023
“It’s attitude, not size, that matters”
99% of all businesses in the UK fall within the definition of ‘Small and Medium Sized Enterprises‘ (SMEs). Employing under 250 people, turning over less than £36m and having gross assets of under £18m is a definition, but not a defining characteristic of success.
More23 January 2023
“Smashing through the glass ceiling”
As part of his commitment to raising the profile of women during his Shrieval year, Sheriff Andrew Marsden hosted a lunch in November at which senior women of achievement from a range of careers – including entrepreneurs, insurance, retail, the judiciary, journalism, psychology, engineering, HR, accountancy, waste management, local government, communication businesses and charity – reflected on what is required to achieve senior management success.
More30 November 2022
A relaxing start to the new Shrieval Year…
October and the start to the Shrieval Year…
More13 July 2022
Looking forward to the next chapter
After nine months of campaigning, attending many events and meeting hundreds of liverymen, I was both humbled and delighted to be elected as Sheriff for the ensuing year at a packed Common Hall on a very warm and sunny 24th June. It was a truly wonderful day in every respect and I am looking forward to taking office with my fellow Sheriff, Alderman Alastair King, at the end of September.
More24 May 2022
The importance of a vote in the election for non-Aldermanic Sheriff
As many of you already know, I have spent the last nine months (longer, really), preparing for, thinking about and ultimately putting my candidacy forward for the High Office of Non-Aldermanic Sheriff of the City of London in the upcoming Common Hall Elections on the 24th June.
More24 April 2022
What is the relevance of the livery companies today?
The Strength of the Livery Company in the City of London – Past, Present and Future – it’s history and benefits.
More03 April 2022
With freedom comes responsibility
Freedom is a poignant topic at the moment. We are seeing its fragility played out before our eyes in Ukraine. With that conflict we can also see the contradictions that go with preserving peace and democracy - notably, that to have them we must be willing to defend them.
More17 February 2022
Voices of the City
Thanks to Paul Jagger @CityandLivery for a fascinating chat! Listen to the full story ....
More25 January 2022
The individual power to effect positive change
Positive change in 2022. There’s tangible evidence to give us cautious optimism, and perhaps most importantly in The City, key upcoming events that give us a direct influence over the direction of that change as well.
More09 December 2021
Speech given at the Supporters’ Reception at Glazers’ Hall
Following the wonderful Supporters’ Reception at Glaziers Hall on the 30 November, and following numerous requests, I wanted to share a copy of my speech, not only for those that were there to reflect upon, but for the many Supporters that sent their best wishes as unfortunately they were unable to join us on the evening.
More06 December 2021
Why I want to represent the City of London
The reasons I wish to represent the City of London, including details of the history of the Shrievalty and the role of the Non-Aldermanic Sheriff
More09 November 2021
All change in the City of London!
Ordinarily, the 25 Wards in The City elect an Alderman every six years. Usually, those elections are not all held at the same time - there’s balance. In addition, every four years, 100 Common Councillors are elected with varying numbers per Ward between two and five. Covid has meant that the last round of elections did not take place. So next year, several different things collide to create a series of changes simultaneously.
More05 November 2024
Garden of Remembrance Service by the Livery with the Livery for the Livery
On Monday 4th November the Livery Committee’s Garden of Remembrance Service took place in the garden of St Paul’s Cathedral. Read more about the Service
More28 October 2024
The Lord Mayor’s show is approaching – here’s what you need to know
This year’s Lord Mayor’s Show is on Saturday 9th November. A handy foldable brochure is now available for download. It includes everything you need to know to have a great day. See the brochure
More24 October 2024
Latest Pollinating London Together newsletter now available
See the full newsletter
More21 October 2024
Report: Lord Mayor and Liveries Future Professionals Summer School
In June/July 20204, the pilot of the Future Professionals Summer Schools programme was held at the behest of the Lord Mayor of the City of London. Read the report
More10 October 2024
Pollinator Christmas Decoration Workshop – 28th November
Join us for a creative and festive time as we celebrate the beauty of pollinators with a unique felt decoration workshop. Details of the event
More01 October 2024
Alastair King elected as next Lord Mayor of the City of London
Alderman Alastair King DL has been elected as the 696th Lord Mayor of the City of London. Read more about the role
More01 October 2024
The Court of Aldermen 2024/25 summary guide
The Court of Aldermen has commissioned an excellent summary guide for the purpose of providing an overview of the leadership role it continues to play in The City of London. See the overview
MoreAndrew's Tweets
@CityandLivery @citymuso Better ask St Paul…
@LiveryWales @CityandLivery Congratulations all, and have a wonderful year.
Temple Bar is an astonishing survivor with an amazing history. Now restored with the help of other patrons and live… https://t.co/GW47wGyHpZ
Lovely to be able to give members of the Farringdon Ward Club a tour of the wonderful Old Bailey. #CityofLondon… https://t.co/aMrXWYLJEd
@CityandLivery It is of course ‘ A wisdom’ of Past Masters!