Agenda item

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman pursuant to Standing Order No. 30. Simon Duckworth, as the immediate past Chairman, in Common Council and willing to serve, was accordingly declared as the Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: THAT the Members of the Gresham (City Side) Committee express their sincere thanks to:

SIMON DUCKWORTH, O.B.E., D.L.

for the diligent, knowledgeable and enthusiastic manner in which he has presided over their proceedings since first being elected as Chairman in May 2014.

DURING his period of office he has given considerable attention to every aspect of the responsibilities which the City of London Corporation shares with the Mercers’ Company in the joint administration of the Will of Sir Thomas Gresham.

EVERY effort has been made on his part to maintain excellent relations with the Mercers’ Side, and his contribution to overseeing the Royal Exchange and Gresham College has always been informed and pertinent. Simon has been instrumental in commissioning the first biography of Sir Thomas Gresham since 1925, and the Committee thanks him for ensuring funding was in place from the Corporation and for his judgement when negotiating between the City Side and Mercers’ Side.

THE Chairman has shown great interest in supporting the continued success of Gresham College.  He has taken every opportunity to promote the work of the College, working with co-sponsors and other Members of the City of London Corporation to ensure that the College has been supported in its ambitions and vision for growth. During his term of office the College has grown substantially, with attendance at lectures remaining consistently high and the College now looking for larger premises.

AT the conclusion of his service as their Chairman, the Committee would like to thank him for his cordial and humorous chairmanship, the intelligent contribution he has made to the accomplishments of the Committee and his generous hospitality, and wishes him good health and happiness in the future.