Agenda item

Resolution on retirement: William Chapman, Private Secretary & Chief of Staff (Mansion House)

Resolved unanimously – That, on the occasion of his retirement from the City of London Corporation, this Court takes great pleasure in conveying to William Chapmans CVO its sincere appreciation of his valuable service to the City Corporation during the past eight years as Private Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor.

Prior to joining the City Corporation, William enjoyed a prestigious career in the civil service where he worked in the Department of the Environment in a variety of policy, presentational, legislative and private office roles and was twice seconded to 10 Downing Street. He served John Major as Private Secretary for Home Affairs and then Parliamentary Affairs between 1991 and 1994. From 1999 to 2008, he worked for Tony Blair and then Gordon Brown as Secretary for Appointments. In this capacity, he advised on candidates for senior Crown appointments in the Church of England, the Lieutenancy, academia and elsewhere, and on honours matters. He also advised the Prime Minister on inter faith issues, including the handling of the response to 9/11 and its aftermath. In 2008, William was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) by The Queen, in recognition of his work in Downing Street.

Since July 2009, William has supported ten Lord Mayors and both they, their families and other Members of this Honourable Court, have greatly valued and benefited from his sound advice on many issues of a varied, complex and, occasionally, highly sensitive nature. William’s knowledge of the City Corporation, of the Mansion House and the Mayoralty, of this Court and the Livery, is significant and his wisdom and familiarity will be missed.

The Members very much welcome this opportunity to thank William for his significant contribution to the work of this Court and for the extremely capable way in which he has carried out the role of Private Secretary and Chief of Staff over the past eight years.  They warmly express the hope that he will enjoy many happy memories of his time spent with the City of London Corporation.