Agenda item

Resolved unanimously- That the sincere gratitude of this Court be offered to:

Susan Jane Pearson

for her dedication and service to the Ward of Cripplegate, the City Corporation, and the City of London over the past seven years.

Sue was elected to the Court of Common Council in 2017 with the highest number of votes received by any candidate across the City, an endorsement from Cripplegate constituents which was repeated during the 2022 Council election and again during the Aldermanic election in 2023.

Sue has made a huge contribution to her community and to the City more broadly. She will be particularly remembered for, and I know is rightly proud of, her work on the Planning and Transportation Committee. Sue’s background as an architect, her thoughtfulness, commitment to Cripplegate residents and her unwavering dedication to her role made her an invaluable member of that committee. Sue contributed with ideas and questions at every meeting she attended and her absence will be greatly felt.

Sue also served on a number of other committees, including the Community and Children’s Services and Finance Committees; the Capital Buildings Board; the Board of Governors of the City of London School for Girls; the Mitchell City of London Charity and Educational Foundation; and the Cripplegate Foundation Ltd.

She served on the Barbican Residential Committee for her entire seven years as an elected member; for two of those years as an adept and knowledgeable Deputy Chair. Sue cares passionately about the role residents have to play in the City and has worked tirelessly to support her constituents, including campaigning for increased funding for the City’s social housing estates and successfully working with colleagues to campaign for the repeal of section 618 of the Housing Act 1985.

Over the last seven years, Sue’s support for City residents extended well beyond formal Corporation activities. Most notably, during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Sue provided crucial support in the running of the Square Mile Foodbank.

Alongside Sue’s contributions within the City, she has many wide and varied interests – she is an avid reader and has a passion for gardening - playing an active role in the Golden Lane Baggers allotments. She also manages to find time for tennis, jewellery making, knitting, fashion, rally driving and sailing – and these, as well as her unfailing commitment to her constituents, many of whom are now firm friends, keep her endlessly busy.

In taking its leave of her, this Honourable Court therefore extends to Sue its thanks and appreciation for her hard work and achievements over the past seven years, as well as its very best wishes for the future. Sue, you will be missed.

Resolved unanimously - That this Honourable Court wishes to extend:-

Angela McLaren

Its sincere gratitude to for her exemplary dedication and devotion to leading the City of London Police.

Angela joined the City of London Police in 2020 as our first Assistant Commissioner for Economic and Cyber Crime. This followed 24 years’ service in Police Scotland, which culminated in her leadership of the Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Portfolio as Assistant Chief Constable.

Angela moved seamlessly into the new role in the City and quickly made her mark, bringing her thoughtful and progressive approach to bear on the City Police’s critical role leading the police response to economic and cyber crime.

However, it was not long before a further move ensued, and following a highly competitive field, Angela was appointed Commissioner in July 2021 – the first female to fulfil the role in the City Police’s long and illustrious history. Angela smoothly stepped up to lead this renowned police service that lies at the heart of the City.

Angela’s swiftly understood the need to balance important, long-standing traditions with ensuring the police service is relevant to the thriving City communities, while also being at the forefront of addressing the cutting-edge threats that are ever-present in the modern world.

During her time in post she oversaw the City of London Police play leading roles in key moments in the country’s history – from the funeral of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the Proclamation of King Charles III and his Coronation – both high profile duties that the City police performed to much acclaim.

As Senior Responsible Officer, Angela also led the City Police closer to two significant milestones. Firstly, the delivery of the replacement for Action Fraud, which will see a transformation in the way fraud reports are handled, victims supported and investigations carried out. Secondly, the building of the new Police headquarters, which will provide state-of-the-art accommodation for the police as part of the wider Justice Hub in Sailsbury Square.

Leading by example, with compassion and thought, are hallmarks of Angela’s leadership which helped drive a culture of respect and openness to new ways of working. She championed initiatives to improve neighbourhood policing, reduce violence against women and girls, put the needs of victims at the heart of everything the City of London Police does, and demonstrated visible leadership on improving the diversity and inclusivity of the City Police – committing to make them one of the most inclusive police services in the country.

The City’s communities and I are all extremely sorry to see Angela leave the City of London Police.  Angela is a first-class Commissioner who has embodied the values of professionalism, integrity and compassion in carrying out her leadership responsibilities. 

This Honourable Court and I are grateful for her commitment and determination to reducing crime and improving the public’s experience of, and trust in, policing, while also protecting the UK from economic crime and cyber-crime.  We wish Angela, and her family, all the very best for the future