Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the Court of Aldermen held on 2^nd November 2022 were correctly recorded.

Resolved Unanimously:- That, this Court wishes to convey to Alderman Vincent Keaveny

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 Vincent’s year, he has rigorously championed his Mayoral Theme, People and Purpose. This has been at the centre of his year and also led to the launch of Progress Together, seeking to create a financial services sector in the United Kingdom in which everyone working in it, from all socio-economic backgrounds, is both enabled and has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Hailing from Dublin, Vincent has served as the 693rd Lord Mayor, and has been the first Irishman to take up this mantle. Fortunately, his Mayoral year has seen the return of so many of our customary events, and so many of our traditions coming back to life, starting of course with the Lord Mayor’s Show. Many banquets, dinners and summits were held for the first time in several years and the Lord Mayor’s extensive travel, taking in Europe, North and South America, and Asia have enabled him to fly the flag for UK financial and professional services, and to make valuable new connections as well as strengthening old ones, in person once more.

Vincent 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. The Lord Mayor has hosted many important occasions in Guildhall and Mansion House, including the Net Zero Delivery Summit, attended by the then Prime Minister and the Finance For

Resolved Unanimously:- That, on the occasion of his retirement, Members of this Court take great pleasure in conveying to John Barradell OBE their gratitude and sincere appreciation for the distinguished manner in which he has carried out the role of Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of London Corporation over the past decade.

John joined the Corporation in 2012, appointed as the City’s 50th Town Clerk since 1274. Over the course of the past decade, his stewardship has included a plethora of significant and indeed historic events.

Having extensive experience and networks in the resilience and emergency management fields, he was key to leading the response to the COVID pandemic, not only within the City but Pan-London and also headed up work on the Government Grenfell Recovery Taskforce. John went on to play a key role in the Grenfell Inquiry and, as Deputy Chair of the London Resilience Partnership, regularly brings together all relevant agencies, private and public, to ensure that the City is planning for, well-prepared and able to respond to disruptive events.

John’s tenure has also allowed for much celebration and pageantry. John has attended numerous Lord Mayors Banquets, the most recent of these taking place just last week, multiple State Banquets and was also fortunate enough to play a key role in not one but two Royal Jubilee celebrations – the likes of which many are unlikely to ever witness again. More sombrely of course, John also joined this Court in the Proclamation of our new King on the steps of the Royal Exchange and represented the City at the funeral of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second.  

Closer to home, John has successfully overseen the agreement of a number of Major Projects that will radically alter what the City is and does for

The Chamberlain presented the names of one hundred and forty persons to be made free of this City, and it is Ordered that they be admitted into the Freedom of this City accordingly, as follows:-

There was no report.

Resolved Unanimously:- That the Court of Hustings NOTE the appointment by the Lord Mayor of Michael Hockney, MBE  as Deputy Gauger for his Mayoralty and of William Robert Stark and Nicole Calanit Hausdorff as Assistant Deputy Gaugers for the same period.

At the conclusion of the Court of Hustings, the Lord Mayor wished all members of the Court, the High Officers, and all others present or observing the meeting online, a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. In reply, and on behalf of the Court of Aldermen, Alderman Ian Luder wished the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress a very happy Christmas and New Year.