Agenda item

Resolved : - That this Court wishes to convey to,

Alderman Professor Michael Raymond Mainelli

its warmest thanks for the noteworthy manner in which he has carried out the role of Lord Mayor of this City.

Throughout Michael’s year, he has rigorously championed his Mayoral Theme, ‘Connect to Prosper’, an initiative focused on harnessing the City’s vast knowledge ecosystem - encompassing over 40 learned societies, 70 higher education institutions, and 130 research institutes, in and around the City. Connect to Prosper has brought together thought leaders from the scientific, academic and business worlds to demonstrate the City’s strengths in solving global challenges. The Mayoral theme has showcased the City’s leadership role as the ‘world’s coffeehouse’, where connections between people, firms and institutions lead to new ideas and inventions that are intended to benefit all. Particular mention must be made of the Ethical AI Initiative which has seen more than 6,000 participants in 60 countries take the 12 hour course, the signing of the ‘Walbrook AI Accord’ by representatives of 38 countries, and the development of the ‘Coffee House Consensus’, drafted with the input of firms representing more than $32 trillion in assets under management.

Other initiatives have included work alongside the 56 nations of the Commonwealth to issue a Common Space report supporting the Space Debris Removal Insurance Bonds proposal, Smart Economy Networks, Constructing Science, Sustainable Finance, and GALENOS for mental health research. Michael has also initiated 100 ‘Knowledge Mile’ lectures, 25 ‘Coffee Colloquies’, various science experiments, and the City Carbon Credit Cancellation Service – we congratulate him on the enthusiasm and commitment with which he has delivered such a full and varied programme.

Michael has served as the City of London’s 695th Lord Mayor, but is the first American and Italian citizen to hold the role. We know that Michael is also immensely proud of his Irish nationality and German heritage and, in keeping with his international foundations, he has, during his year, led overseas business delegations to many key international markets on behalf of the UK financial and professional services industry, meeting government representatives, alongside business leaders and policy makers. Michael has sought to use the role to strengthen economic ties with the UK, identify new business opportunities and promote the UK as a top global destination for foreign investment. His travels have seen him visit destinations including the US, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands. It would be remiss here to not acknowledge Michael’s concerted effort to increase the focus on Europe, visiting more European cities than has been common in recent mayoralties, something which has been well received by European counterparts.

Michael has also worked tirelessly closer to home, successfully promoting and strengthening the City’s relationship with cities and economic centres outside of London. Notable visits have included those to Jersey, Guernsey and, more recently, the Isle of Man. Here at home, there are also many highlights. As Lord Mayor, Michael has hosted State banquets for the President of South Korea and the Emperor of Japan. He has helped launch the livery Linkedin Community, the ‘Livery Experience’, Thames Day, Pepys Day, the Lord Mayor’s view of the boundary stones and Proud to be a Freeman Days to name but a few.

During this very busy year, Michael has been fortunate to receive unending support in all endeavours from the Lady Mayoress, Elisabeth, whose efforts helped to ensure that the Lord Mayor’s year was a real success. As the Mayoral year now draws to a close, the Court of Aldermen unite in thanking Michael for all that he has done as Lord Mayor of the City of London and send to him, Elisabeth, and their wider family, their very best wishes for their future good health and happiness.