Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Alderman Sir William Russell (Chairman), Alderman Sir Nicholas Lyons, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley, DBE, Alderman Christopher Makin, Alderwoman Jennette Newman and Alderman Kawsar Zaman.

There were no declarations.

To elect a Deputy Chair for the year ensuing, in accordance with the Court of Aldermen’s Standing Orders 14 and 16.

Nominations received: Alderman Vincent Keaveny.

Following the resignation of Alderman Sir Charles Bowman as Deputy Chairman as announced at the last meeting and, in accordance with Standing Orders No.14 and 16, the Committee elected a Deputy Chairman for the remainder of the 2025/26mc civic year.

RESOLVED: – That, as the only Alderman in nomination, Alderman Vincent Keaveny, CBE be elected as Deputy Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen for the remainder of the 2025/26 civic year.

Alderman Sir Charles Bowman reported that, in the absence of the Chairman, he would continue in this capacity for the remainder of the public agenda before handing over to the new Deputy Chairman to preside over the non-public and confidential items of business.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 16 September 2025.

The Committee considered the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 16 September 2025.

RESOLVED: - That the minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 16 September 2025 be approved as an accurate record of the meeting.

Chairman’s Congratulatory Remarks

The Committee were informed that Alderman Vincent Keaveny had recently received a special award for ‘outstanding contribution to social mobility’ at the UK Social Mobility Awards held just a fortnight ago and, later this week, would be in Ireland to receive one of this year’s Tip O’Neill Awards for the Irish diaspora. The Chairman reported that the awards are named in honour of the Irish-American politician who served as Speaker of the US House of Representatives from 1977 to 1987 and honour members of the Irish diaspora who have made a significant contribution to their community. Huge congratulations on both very well-deserved accolades Vincent!

The Chairman went on to offer congratulations to Alderman Emma Edhem on her  appointment as a Judge and Advisor to the Board of the Global Space Awards.

a) To approve the appointment of Alderman Christopher Makin to The Committee of Aldermen to administer the Sir William Coxen Trust Fund for a second three-year term expiring in September 2028;

b) To discuss the appointment of an Alderman to the Board of Governors of the City of London Freemen’s School from February 2026;

RESOLVED: - That the Committee:

(1)    approve the appointment of Alderman Christopher Makin to The Committee of Aldermen to administer the Sir William Coxen Trust Fund for a second three-year term expiring in September 2028; and

(2)    note the request for an Alderman to stand for the vacancy as Governor of the City of London Freemen’s School Board which will arise in February 2026 in the room of Alderman Christopher Makin.

Report of the Executive Director for Innovation & Growth.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director for Innovation and Growth presenting the impact of the City of London Corporation’s work in support of UK-based Financial and Professional Services between July 2025 and September 2025 and providing Members with visibility of the outcomes of workstreams in the last quarter in the Innovation and Growth Department, working in close collaboration with Corporate Affairs, Media, the Remembrancer’s Office, the Office of the Policy Chairman and Mansion House.

The Executive Director spoke to highlight some of the key points within the report. He highlighted that the work that his department had been focusing on had emerged from the Vision for Economic Growth document and that this Summer’s Mansion House speech had drawn out a number of the areas that had been announced and delivered in partnership with government over the past few years. Such areas of work included the Investment Hub, further work around the Mansion House Accord, the Employers Pension Pledge, FinTech scale up and a Skills Compact with a particular focus on AI.

Speaking further on the Investment Hub, it was highlighted that this would be a public/private partnership, looking to ensure not only resource from government but also the presence of regulators and legal firms/consultancies in order to target the correct kind of investment and ensure a seamless, professional and globally competitive process for those seeking to invest here. This would be formally launched imminently and office space within the Guildhall had now been made for the staff supporting this service.

The Chair suggested that there would be benefit in inviting the new Investment Hub leadership team to attend a future meeting of this Committee following its launch.

An Alderman queried progress around recruitment for a Managing Director for the US Office. The Executive Director reported that a

There were no questions.

Xxx questions had been received.

There was no other business.

There were xx items of other business.

MOTION - That, in accordance with the Court of Aldermen’s Disclosure Arrangement (Standing Order 25), the public shall be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen have determined, having had due regard to the Disclosure Arrangement, that disclosure should not be permitted.

RESOLVED - That, in accordance with the Court of Aldermen’s Disclosure Arrangement (Standing Order 25), the public shall be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen have determined, having had due regard to the Disclosure Arrangement, that disclosure should not be permitted.

To approve the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 16 September 2025.

The Committee considered and approved the non-public minutes of the last meeting of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen held on 16 September 2025.

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee considered and approved a report of the Chamberlain updating Members on the work carried out in 2025-26 to review and reset the budgets relevant to the Mayoralty, Shrievalty and Mansion House.

Joint Report of the Town Clerk and the Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor & Executive Director, Mansion House

The Committee considered a join report of the Town Clerk and Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor & Executive Director Mansion House relative to the future of the fleet of vehicles used in support of the Mayoralty and Shrievalty.

To discuss the operation of and current allocations under the existing Livery Liaison Scheme.

At the request of the Magistracy & Livery Sub-Committee, the Committee took the opportunity to discuss the operation of and current allocations under the existing Livery Liaison Scheme.

There were no questions in non-public session.

There was no other business.

There were xx items of other business.

Report of the Executive Director and Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor, Mansion House.

The Committee considered and approved a confidential report of the Executive Director and Private Secretary to the Lord Mayor summarising the process for recruiting and appointing a new Senior Private Secretary & City Marshal at Mansion House and proposing a preferred

candidate to be presented to the General Purposes Committee for formal approval.