Agenda item

Resolved unanimously – That the Vote of Thanks read informally at the last meeting of this Honourable Court be agreed, included in the Minutes of this meeting; and that it be fairly transcribed, signed by the Town Clerk and presented in a manner agreeable to the late Lord Mayor.

Resolved unanimously -  That the Members of this Court take great pleasure in expressing to:

Alderman David Wootton

their most sincere thanks for the distinguished way in which he has carried out the varied demands of the Office of Lord Mayor of the City of London over the past year.

Whether at home or abroad, he has been an exemplary ambassador for both the City of London and for the United Kingdom.  His efforts to stimulate jobs and growth, coupled with his enthusiasm for the City’s future well-being, have been vital during this year of continued economic uncertainty. His measured and persuasive approach has been particularly valuable in highlighting London’s role as a global hub emphasising the City’s vast expertise in working with other international City centres in financial, legal and educational services together with dispute resolution and arbitration. The important and rapidly emerging markets in potential new regional groupings across the World present new opportunities for British business and David has been playing his part in presenting a coherent picture of what the United Kingdom has to offer.

The Lord Mayor has promoted the interests of the City, London and the nation around the World – visiting 26 countries, places as diverse as Russia, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Thailand and the Gulf region and more recently Vietnam, India and Argentina. He has also demonstrated the City’s contribution and commitment to the wider national economy noting the important role that the financial and professional services play in developing regional businesses and supporting employment, responsible for nearly 2 million jobs around the country.

His mayoralty has coincided with a memorable year for this Country with Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and the Paralympics and the Lord Mayor has contributed to the national effort by hosting a number of events at Mansion House and Guildhall demonstrating how the Olympic motto ‘Faster Higher Stronger’ applies to the City’s talent pool and expertise, as much as it does to the sporting events.

Such a diverse programme has placed huge demands on the Lord Mayor and he has met the challenge with enthusiasm, dignity and good humour.

His colleagues on this Court also wish to pay tribute to the Lady Mayoress, who has taken upon herself an equally packed and varied programme. Thanks are due to Liz and the whole Wootton family for their unstinting support and this contribution is warmly acknowledged. In taking their leave of this Lord Mayor,