My plans for the year ahead as Sheriff of the City of London

​Following my election as one of the two Sheriffs of the City of London on 24 June,  I am planning my year’s engagement with the City, the UK and internationally. The role of the Sheriff is to support the Lord Mayor and the City of London and to oversee the administration of the Old Bailey and promote the rule of law (arguably the historic role of the Sheriff is to supervise the delivery of justice in the Square Mile). This is in addition to working alongside the City Corporation in alignment with the corporate plan and initiatives.
Whilst the photograph of me shows the formal and ceremonial dress on the very important occasion of the Election of the Sheriffs in Common Hall by the Livery, the role is wider and more influential than this might show.  The Sheriffs form part of the civic team with the Lord Mayor and working alongside the Chair of Policy and Resources – Catherine  McGuinness who is the effective leader of the City Corporation.  As a Sheriff I hope to join visits overseas and meet foreign delegations coming  to London in order to promote the role of the City, its financial business and professional services.  
The focus in the first quarter of my year of office will be the lead up to COP26.  My role within the City Corporation working on the City’s own Climate Action Strategy and my position as non-executive director of the Green Finance Institute means that I will be promoting the role that the City can play in financing the much needed transition to net zero. There are many positive responses from Government, local authorities, business and civil society as well as the clamour of individuals who all want to play a part to create our greener and sustainable future.  
The response of the City businesses to the Covid pandemic is still unfolding. The City Corporation is committed to the recovery of the ecosystem that makes the Square Mile the best place to work, live and visit.  One element in the balance is the impact on commercial real estate and, as a property lawyer,  I understand the drivers around the market and the cost of property to businesses but also the investment value that real estate has in our economy. Property has to serve the business needs. I see these changing with a greater emphasis on property needing to address the wellbeing of the occupiers and employees.  There is a growing recognition of the importance of the public realm, ease of access and ambience that have always been hallmarks of, and the reasons why, people like working in the City. These need to be enhanced.
During my year of office I want to continue to champion the role of philanthropy. Many City businesses already understand their wider role in society and I want to ensure that businesses working with civil society and Government ( national and local) can address the inequalities in London and beyond that have been so exposed during the pandemic.
Whilst this might sound ambitious I hope that the elements of the role interest you and I look forward to a wide engagement – do get or keep in touch.
 

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