Today was an an enormously emotional day for Elisabeth and me as, not only was it Michaelmas (!), I was elected as the 695th Lord Mayor of London for the ‘year ensuing’, from 10 November 2023 till 10 November 2024. My acceptance speech, and thanks to the Livery and City of London community follows, and, yes, it was a delightfully sunny day with the sun directly in my eyes for the photos:
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: the Company of Watermen & Lightermen‘s Freemen’s Lunch, Friday, 18 November 2022, Watermen’s Hall
Master, Wardens, Court members, fellow Freemen:
I may be our Master’s worst nightmare, a sailor with an audience who believes they might want to hear his nautical tales.
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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: 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: 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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