Agenda item

The minutes of the Court of Common were laid upon the table of the Court.

Resolved unanimously -  This Court wishes to convey to Alderman Sir Andrew Charles Parmley its sincere congratulations on his recent appointment by Her Majesty the Queen as Knight Bachelor for services to Music, Education and Civic Engagement.

Resolved unanimously – That upon his retirement as Alderman for the Ward of Portsoken, this Court desires to place on record its most sincere appreciation of the service that Sir Michael Bear has given to the City Corporation and, in particular, to this Court.

Sir Michael was elected to the Court of Common Council for the Ward of Portsoken in 2002. Subsequently, in 2005, he was admitted to this Court as an Alderman for the Ward of Portsoken.  In 2007, Sir Michael was elected to the Office of Sheriff of the City of London and, in 2010, as the City’s 683rd Lord Mayor; carrying out the demanding role with commitment and integrity. Having held prominent positions in his professional career – namely as a Managing Director at Balfour Beatty and as Regeneration Director at Hammerson PLC – Sir Michael was well equipped to promote the Square Mile and the City widely and with great success. He subsequently received a knighthood for his services to the City of London.

Sir Michael has held several significant positions representing the UK on an international stage. Notably, he was Executive Chairman of UK Trade and Investments (UKTI) and was the UK Special Envoy for Sustainable Urbanisation in China. Sir Michael has also been involved with significant organisations outside of the City of London, such as having been a member of the Barbican Lakes Working Party, the City Arts Trust LTD and the Sir John Cass Foundation. He was the President of the Advisory Council of The CityUK, and has held directorships at CRASH (Spitalfields Market Community Trust) and The Drinking Fountain Association.

In addition to his service on a large number of City of London Corporation Committees, including the Finance Committee, the Planning and Transportation Committee, the Policy and Resources Committee and as Chairman of the Privileges Committee from 2015 to 2017, Sir Michael has remained closely involved in Ward activities. He has also been an active and enthusiastic member of several livery companies, namely the Paviors, the Chartered Surveyors, the Musicians and the Engineers.

On taking their leave, his colleagues would like to express to Sir Michael their thanks and good wishes, together with the hope that he, Lady Barbara and their family will long retain many happy memories of a successful civic life and all he has achieved for the City, the Corporation and this Court.