Agenda item

To Pass a Vote of Thanks to the Late Lord Mayor

Minutes:

Resolved unanimously:- That this Court wishes to convey to Alderman Peter Kenneth Estlin its warmest thanks for the exemplary manner in which he has carried out the role of Lord Mayor of this City and its pleasure in having this opportunity to acknowledge that the Lord Mayor has at all times performed the duties of the office with commitment, dignity and great skill.

 

Throughout Peter’s year, he has rigorously championed his Mayoral Theme, Shaping Tomorrow’s City Today. This has been at the centre of his year and has been of enormous benefit to the City, to London as a whole and indeed, the country, helping to ensure the U.K. remains a global hub for digital innovation and at the forefront of competitiveness. The significant efforts of the ‘Digital Lord Mayor’, as he is now known, have produced a lasting legacy in the establishment of Future.NOW which is designed to ensure a unified approach to digital skills across the country and will undoubtedly be a testament to his work in the coming years.

 

The Lord Mayor’s extensive travel to more than 25 countries during his time in office has included three trips each to the United States and to China as well as leading business delegations to a number of regions such as the Gulf, Latin America, and Africa. These overseas visits have succeeded in fostering mutual trade and good will – invaluable in light of Brexit – and in generating commercial opportunities and strengthening bonds with global partners.

 

Peter has also worked ceaselessly here at home, successfully promoting and strengthening the City’s relationship with cities and economic centres outside of London, where two-thirds of the country’s financial services are based. He has given more than 40 speeches a month at towns and cities across the nation, emphasising the need for businesses across the country to share best practice and to support one another better.

 

The Lord Mayor has hosted many extraordinary occasions in Guildhall and Mansion House during the past year, including the high-profile Business and Industry Dinner and the International Trade Dinner. Both highly significant occasions, with the latter attended by the Vice President of the United States, I know these special occasions will have left Peter with many cherished memories.

 

During this very busy year, the Lord Mayor has been fortunate to receive unending support in all endeavours from the Lady Mayoress, Lindy, whose efforts helped to ensure that the Digital Lord Mayor’s year was a success. As the Mayoral year draws to a close, the Court of Aldermen unite in thanking Peter for all that he has done as Lord Mayor of the City of London and send to him, Lindy, and their children, their very best wishes for their future good health and happiness.