Agenda item

Resolution of Condolence:

Resolved unanimously – That, upon his unexpected and melancholy death, the Members of this Honourable Court wish to place on record their most sincere condolences as well as their profound thanks to Sir Roger Gifford for the most distinguished service that he gave to the City Corporation as Alderman for the Ward of Cordwainer since 2004, as Sheriff of the City in 2008, as the 685^th Lord Mayor of the City of London in 2012; and as a most respected and amiable Senior member of the Court.

Roger’s distinguished career, as a highly respected and visible senior figure in international banking is well documented as is his impressive and inspirational role in embedding financial services in the climate action agenda. As Chair of the Green Finance Institute, and Chair of Her Majesty’s Government’s Green Finance Taskforce, Roger provided vision and stewardship in this rapidly growing area. With his boundless energy and good humour- neither of which ever seemed to tire - he successfully brought people together to achieve significant long-term outcomes. Undoubtedly, Roger leaves a strong legacy in this area as the UK prepares to host the COP26 international climate summit in Glasgow later this year. As a proud Scot, Roger would have played a key role for the City and the UK at the summit and his valuable contributions will inevitably be missed.

Roger’s Mayoral theme was “The City in Society”, championing the role that business, and financial services in particular, can play in nurturing talent, supporting the wider economy, creating jobs and making a social contribution across society.  In a world of increasing inequality, helping to improve social mobility is hugely important and Roger advocated the importance of this in many ways. His Mayoral Appeal in 2021 supported the City Music Foundation, which he co-founded with Clare, equipping young musicians with the skills, experience and opportunities needed to set them up for a professional career. Other recipients were children’s charity Futures for Kids, the creation of Gifford Wood, a plantation of climate change resilient trees in Epping Forest, and the conservation and presentation of the Harold Samuel Collection of Dutch and Flemish pictures at Mansion House for which Clare wrote a new catalogue.

Aside from his prestigious professional activities and interests, the arts, and music especially, were Roger’s abiding passion. He was a talented performer on the piano and the baroque recorder, and he was also an impressive songster. He was Chairman of the English Chamber Orchestra and the Tenebrae Choir, Chair of the St Paul’s Cathedral Council and a Trustee of St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School. Aquavit and carol singing were compulsory his annual Christmas lunch at SEB, where he brought together an array of guests that reflected his diverse interests and connections. Invitations to the lunches were highly sought after, thus demonstrating Roger’s very real connectivity with people, their fondness of him and his wit.

Roger’s Lord Mayor’s Show will be remembered as the year in which the 300 year old Gold State Coach broke down, with Roger having to decant to an open top Range Rover, from which he waved at the crowds with typical, and perhaps even pontifical, equanimity. He conducted his ceremonial duties with characteristic flourish at all times and at the funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral of Baroness Thatcher, the first Lord Mayor to bear the Black Mourning Sword since Churchill’s funeral, some camera angles suggested that the Sword came treasonably close to clipping The Queen’s head.

Through all that he did, professionally, whilst serving on City Corporation or Aldermanic Committees, or in the Mayoralty, Roger was never short of enthusiasm, energy and passion.  In the area of Green Finance, he leaves a permanent mark on the industry. To all Members of this Honourable Court, he will always be remembered, with great fondness, as a remarkable and highly respected colleague and friend. So, whilst expressing its most sincere condolences to Clare and the family, Sir Roger’s colleagues on the Court also join together to express heartfelt thanks for all that he did for the City Corporation, this Court, the City of London and beyond, and for all the laughter and music he generated along the way.