Agenda item

Resolved unanimously – That, on his retirement from this Honourable Court, Members wish to place on record their most sincere thanks to:-

Jeffrey Richard de Corban Evans, the Lord Mountevans

for the service that he has given to the City of London Corporation and to the City.

Having served the Ward of Cheap as its Alderman since his election in 2007, in 2012/13 Jeffrey was elected to the Office of Sheriff of the City of London and, in 2015/16, served as the City’s 688th Lord Mayor; carrying out the demanding role with commitment and integrity.

Drawing on his strong shipping background, including roles as a Managing Director of Clarkson’s Shipping and Chairman of Maritime London, Jeffrey has used his experience and insight over the past eleven years to help navigate the City through all waters, whether turbulent or smooth, and we are grateful to him for his many contributions.

Having now stepped down from Office, Jeffrey, so well supported throughout by Juliet, can take with him the very best wishes of all his colleagues on this Court for a long, happy and healthy retirement from civic life in the City.

Resolved unanimously – That, on her retirement from this Honourable Court, Members wish to place on record their most sincere thanks to:-

Dame Catherine Fiona Woolf, D.B.E.

for her dedication to the work of the City over the past 11 years.

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, became the City’s 686th Lord Mayor and 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, strengthening its links with the wider UK economy. 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.

During her time as Lord Mayor, Fiona championed themes of diversity, sustainability, charity leadership and philanthropy and the work she supported both then and since has left a lasting legacy, both within the City Corporation and in the City as a whole.

We warmly thank her for her exceptional service. Her passion and dedication will be sorely missed. We all wish Fiona a long and happy retirement and send our best wishes to her and Nicholas in their future adventures.

Resolved unanimously – That, the gratitude of this Court be extended to:-

Peter Lionel Raleigh Hewitt

Lately Alderman for the Ward of Aldgate, for his dedicated service to the City Corporation and the City of London over the past six years.

Elected in 2012, Peter served on a wide range of Committees and Outside Bodies during his time with the City Corporation; however, it is his work in the field of social investment for which this Court owes him a particular debt of gratitude.

Serving as the first Chairman of the Social Investment Board, 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 Board has committed over £14.7million to a variety of charities, helping thousands of people across the UK by providing housing for vulnerable groups, employment support for ex-offenders, and access to community transport, all while generating a return of 4.7% - additional monies which can then be re-invested into further good causes. His efforts have seen the City Corporation develop into one of the key players in the nascent social investment market, demonstrating that by making socially responsible investments, it is possible to have a positive social impact without compromising on financial returns – thereby helping to establish social investment as a credible investment medium.

This Honourable Court now extends to Peter its sincerest thanks for his endeavours over the past several years, as well as its very best wishes to him for the future.