Agenda item

(i)            Retirement from the Court of Aldermen – Dame Catherine Fiona Woolf D.B.E.

Resolved unanimously:– That upon her retirement as Alderman for the Ward of Candlewick, this Court desires to place on record its most sincere appreciation of the service that Dame Catherine Fiona Woolf D.B.E. has given to the City Corporation and, in particular, to this Court.

In 2007 Dame Fiona was admitted to this Court as an Alderman for the Ward of Candlewick.  In 2010, she was elected to the Office of Sheriff of the City of London and, in 2013, as the City’s 686th Lord Mayor; carrying out the demanding role with commitment and a particular focus on diversity as only the second female to serve as Lord Mayor since 1189. Having held prominent positions in her professional career – namely as a Partner at CMS Cameron McKenna and as a Consultant to the World Bank – Dame Fiona was well equipped to promote the Square Mile and the City widely and with great success. In 2015 she was appointed by Her Majesty the Queen as Dame Commander for her services to the City of London, diversity and the legal profession.

In addition to her service on a large number of City of London Corporation Committees, including the Planning and Transportation Committee, the Finance Committee and the Community and Children’s Services Committee, Dame Fiona has remained closely involved in Ward activities. She has also been an active and enthusiastic member of several livery companies, namely the Solicitors, the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants, the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, Wax Chandlers and the Worshipful Company of Arbitrators.

On taking their leave, her colleagues would like to express to Dame Fiona their thanks and good wishes, together with the hope that she, Nicholas and their family will long retain many happy memories of a successful civic life and all she has achieved for the City, the Corporation and this Court.

(ii)        Retirement from the Court of Aldermen – The Lord Mountevans

Resolved unanimously:- That in taking their leave of The Lord Mountevans upon his retirement as Alderman for the Ward of Cheap, 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.

In 2007 The Lord Mountevans was admitted to this Court as an Alderman for the Ward of Candlewick.  In 2012, he was elected to the Office of Sheriff of the City of London and, in 2015, as the City’s 688th Lord Mayor; carrying out the demanding role with commitment, integrity and good humour. Having held prominent positions in his professional career – namely as a Managing Director of Clarksons Shipping and as Chairman of Maritime London – The Lord Mountevans was well equipped to promote the Square Mile and the City widely and with great success.

In addition to his service on a large number of City of London Corporation Committees, including the Planning and Transportation Committee, the Finance Committee and the Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, The Lord Mountevans has remained closely involved in Ward activities. He has also been an active and enthusiastic member of several livery companies, namely the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, and the World Traders.

On taking their leave, his colleagues would like to express to The Lord Mountevans their thanks and good wishes, together with the hope that he, Lady Mountevans and their family will long retain many happy memories of a successful civic life and all he has achieved for the City, the Corporation and this Court.

(ii)          Retirment from the Court of Aldermen – Peter Lionel Raleigh Hewitt

Resolved unanimously:- That in taking their leave of Peter Lionel Raleigh Hewitt upon his retirement as Alderman for the Ward of Aldgate, 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 six years.

Peter was elected as an Alderman for the Ward of Aldgate in April 2012. As a director or chairman of 10 public companies and, more recently, as a founding Director of EH Global Capital Ltd, a European acquisition finance and fund management platform for China’s HNA Group, throughout his career, Peter has remained a keen and astute supporter of the enterprise culture, both private sector as well as not for profit.

In addition to his service on a number of City of London Corporation Committees, as Chairman of the Social investment Board since its inception, Peter oversaw the establishment of this important area of work at a time when the social investment market was in its infancy. Under his tenure, the City Corporation has developed into one of the key players in the emerging social investment market, demonstrating that socially responsible investments can have a positive social impact without compromising on financial returns.

Peter remained closely involved in Ward activities throughout his civic career - shortly after his election in 2012 he formed the Aldgate Business Forum to act as a vehicle to bring together businesses in the Ward to discuss key issues and help city-based businesses gain a greater understanding of the City of London and the role of the City Corporation.  He has also been an active member of the Livery, having served as Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen; a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers; A Founder Freeman of the Guild of Entrepreneurs; Past Prime Warden of the Basketmakers’ Company; a Court Assistant of the World Traders’ Company and Honorary Liveryman of the Paviors’ Company. 

On taking their leave, his colleagues would like to express to Peter their thanks and good wishes, together with the hope that he, Fidelma and their family will long retain many happy memories of his civic life and all he has achieved for the City, the Corporation and this Court.