Remarks to: the South Georgia Heritage Trust on the occasion of the return of the crow’s nest from Shackleton’s Quest after its three year tour and return to All Hallows By The Tower on Thursday, 7 September, before a dinner at Trinity House, with a toast to ‘The Boss’ and a dram before heading home.
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Remarks to: the Worshipful Company Of Educators, on the occasion of the annual Franklin Lecture, Mansion House, 18:00 to 19:00, Thursday, 9 February 2023.
“Teacher, Tutor, Scholar, I” – A Metaverse Of Education Or Conundra[1] Of Confusion
My Lord Mayor, Master, Aldermen, Sheriff, visiting Masters, Distinguished Guests, Ladies & Gentlemen,
Just two minutes ago, before coming up here, Stephen Bernhard asked me if I felt nervous. “Of course”, I replied. Stephen said, “I too always got nervous giving our company’s seminars, and I knew what I was talking about.” Thanks, Stephen.
Our Master [Caroline Haines] asked me to consider the future of education. F Scott Fitzgerald said that “the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”[2] My first idea is that something absolutely must be done to make education far more relevant to the modern world, while the second is that we have little idea what exactly to do.
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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 history & legend therein, though perhaps a bit of lost accuracy along the way.
Continue reading“Wenn Ihr an mich denkt, seid nicht traurig. Nennt mich bei dem Namen, den Ihr mir immer gegeben habt. Erzählt von mir und traut Euch, zu lachen. Gebt mir einen Platz zwischen Euch, so wie ich ihn im Leben hatte. Ich bin nicht weit weg, nur auf der anderen Seite des Weges.”
Reinhold Reuß [1 Januar 1935 – 23 Dezember 2022]
Remarks to: IoD India (Institute of Directors), 2022 London Global Convention on Corporate Governance & Sustainability, The Montcalm, Marble Arch, London, W1H 7TN, 11:00-12:00, Thursday, 10 November 2022.
Boardroom Challenges In A New World Order
Emerging Challenges for Board Leadership in the New Economy
Building high performance Boards in uncertain times: Balancing Strategy, Operations & Compliance
Board’s oversight for fundamental Seismic Shifts in Global Geopolitics & guide to a disrupted world
Board’s Human Capital Strategy – Rising to the Challenges of the Future Work Place
Board Leadership and Strategy for leveraging corporate culture and value chain
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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: 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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It was a distinct honour to be elected to an Honorary Fellowship at Kings College London (KCL) in 2021. Due to pandemic restrictions, ceremonies were delayed over three years. In the past few weeks, KCL has held nearly 50 graduation ceremonies, against a ‘normal’ 15 or so. At one point I got singled out with this most kind citation:
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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).
A few, very few, have wondered what the seasonal artisanal brewing company of Scobby Dobby Doo Brewery GmbH got up to in early 2022, especially after the stupendous season that was last year.
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