Agenda item

(i)          Resolved:- That in taking their leave of

THE RT HON THE BARONESS SCOTLAND OF ASTHAL KC

upon her retirement as Alderman for the Ward of Bishopsgate, this Court desires to place on record its most sincere appreciation of the service that she has given to the City Corporation and, in particular, to this Court, over the past eight years.

Patricia was first elected to the Court of Alderman for the Ward of Bishopsgate in December 2014, where she became the first black person and fourth woman in the Court’s history to do so. She is certainly no stranger to trailblazing throughout both her civic and professional career but a passion for diversity has ensured that she has always been willing to pave the way for others and to not be the ‘only’ in many of these fields for long.

Bishopsgate has long held a special place in Patricia’s heart, given that it was the first place in which she worked in the City, as a clerk in N.B. Smith & Co, at the age of just 16 in 1971. Little did she imagine then, as the 10th of 12 children, born in Dominica but growing up in Walthamstow, that this would be the beginning of such a remarkable journey.

Not long after her election as Alderman, international recognition of her significant talents followed, as she was elected as Secretary General of the Commonwealth in 2015 – yet more trailblazing as she became the first woman and first British citizen to hold this post - and was, in recent months, successfully elected for a second term. This has given us the opportunity to greet Patricia in a different guise and hopefully we will continue to do so and to work alongside her as the City of London Corporation, through collaboration and links with Commonwealth institutions, seeks to continue to expand its capacity to promote UK trade and investment opportunities across Commonwealth member states.

Despite the obviously significant demands on her time elsewhere, during her tenure Patricia served on the City Corporation’s Policy and Resources Committee (by virtue of being a life peer), as well as the then Standards Committee and was also appointed as a Trustee of Emanuel Hospital. She is also a Member of the Skinners Livery Company.

Finally, it would be remiss of me not to mention the significant role played by Patricia in this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and, more recently, in the Proclamation of King Charles III and the funeral of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II where she had the honour of addressing assembled guests at Westminster Abbey.

In taking their leave her colleagues would like to express to Baroness Scotland their sincere thanks for her years of service, with the hope that she, her husband, and their two sonswill look back on her civic life with the greatest pleasure, pride and satisfaction for all that she has achieved with the wider City, the City Corporation and this Court. 

(ii)        Resolved: - That in taking their leave of

David Andrew Graves

upon his retirement as Alderman for the Ward of Cripplegate, this Court desires to place on record its most sincere appreciation of the service that he has given to the City Corporation and, in particular, to this Court, over the past fourteen years.

David was elected to the Court of Aldermen for the Ward of Cripplegate in 2008 and during his tenure, represented the views of businesses, small and large, as well as residents.A solicitor by trade and a member of the Worshipful Company of Solicitors, he served as Master Solicitor from 2017-2018. His active commitment to upholding the rule of law was also demonstrated in the performance of his duties as a magistrate since 2009: David has consistently demonstrated a professional and keen eye for detail, as well as an overwhelming sense of fairness.

David is committed to London and its civic, cultural, sporting and charitable life and in recent months, participated in events to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. Following this, he played a more sombre role at the passing of Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, being present at the Royal Exchange for the Proclamation of King Charles III.

David served on a wide number of Corporation Committees, including bringing his experiences to bear on the Magistracy & Livery Sub-Committee as its Deputy Chairman from 2016-2021. David also has a long-standing and deep involvement with the education sector, having served as a Governor of the City of London School, the City of London School for Girls and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. During his time on GSMD, he also served as its Chairman from 2012-2015 and was made Honorary Fellow in 2015. During his Chairmanship the School obtained degree-awarding powers, enhancing its prestige and allowing it to respond more effectively to the changing demands of the performing arts sector.

On taking their leave, his colleagues would like to express to David their most warm affection, together with the hope that he will long retain many happy memories of civic life and all he has achieved for the Corporation, the City and this Court.