Agenda item

Resolved unanimously –

That this Honourable Court wishes to extend to,

John Richard Owen-Ward, M.B.E.

its sincere gratitude for his long and much valued service as a Member for the past 32 years for the Ward of Bridge and Bridge Without. Not only was John a dedicated elected representative of the Ward, but he also served as the Ward Clerk and Secretary of the Ward Club at various points; Bridge will sorely miss his commitment and passion. One of his recent projects within the Ward was pursuing the building of a staircase from London Bridge to the Thames Path; it is fitting that construction of this staircase has begun this year and will serve as a reminder to all of John’s dedication.

John was elected to Common Council in 1983 and has been a stalwart on the Court ever since, serving on and Chairing a variety of Committees. His long-term contributions to the Port Health & Environmental Services Committee and the Barbican Centre Board in particular are noteworthy, as was his Chairing of the 1991 State Banquet in honour of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Throughout his time on the Court he also enjoyed strong links with the Livery, serving as Chairman of the then Livery Consultative Committee from 1997 to 2000.

John’s time at the Corporation will perhaps be best remembered for his service on the Planning & Transportation Committee, on which he sat for some 28 years and also chaired from 2004 to 2007. An architect by trade, John’s was able to bring his considerable expertise and insight to the Committee. He championed high calibre design which enhanced the City’s historic environment, and his term as Chairman saw the first award of the Stirling Prize for Architecture to a commercial building – the Gherkin, at 30 St Mary Axe – and the granting of a prestigious national Royal Town Planning Institute award to the Merrill Lynch Financial Centre in Newgate Street. He was also heavily involved in the revitalisation of Cheapside as a shopping destination.

His expertise was also invaluable to the Guildhall Improvement Project, the impressive results of which we benefit from every day we come to the Guildhall Complex. Indeed, John’s impressive contribution to the work of the City Corporation throughout the years was justly recognised in 2008 when he was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the New Years’ Honours list.

John’s experience and dedication both to the Ward of Bridge & Bridge Without and to the City will be sorely missed. The Members of this Honourable Court would therefore wish to take this opportunity to wish him an enjoyable and well-earned retirement, and express our gratitude for all his work over the past 32 years.

Resolved unanimously – That this Honourable Court wishes to extend to

Stanley Keith Knowles, M.B.E

its sincere gratitude for his much valued service as a Member and Deputy for the Ward of Candlewick. Members of this Honourable Court will know Keith as a true gentleman, with an unfailingly charming and courteous disposition, and he will be sorely missed.

Elected as a Common Councilman in 1984, Keith has since served with distinction on a large number of Corporation Committees, including Planning & Transportation, Port Health and Environmental Services, and of course the Police Committee. Keith also served as Sheriff in 1996/97, and his broad and valued contributions to the City Corporation were recognised in 2008, when he was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in Her Majesty’s Birthday Honours List.

Indeed, his 21 year stint on the Police Committee is of particular note as, during his tenure as Chairman, he led the City Police in to becoming the national lead force for tackling fraud and economic crime. This function, now synonymous with the City of London Police and in no small way responsible for its continuing success as a leading national Police Force, owes much to Keith’s tireless work.

Keith’s continued involvement with the Police Committee after his term as Chairman has also seen his enormous impact on the Police Accommodation project, with his experience and wisdom helping to ensure that the Police have access to fit-for-purpose, 21st century accommodation. The recent movement of key elements of the Force in to new offices in Guildhall Yard East is in no small part thanks to his unstinting efforts and will form part of the lasting legacy that Keith has provided for our Police Force.

Indeed, such has been Keith’s contribution over the years that, following his term as Chairman, the Force saw fit to express their gratitude by naming a horse after him! We on the Court may not be able to reciprocate our thanks to Keith quite in kind by naming an animal after him, but nonetheless we hope that he will accept our sincere wishes for a long, relaxing and well-earned retirement.

The Members of this Honourable Court would therefore wish to take this opportunity to express their heartfelt appreciation for his efforts and achievements and their very best wishes for his future good health and happiness.