Agenda item

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

Sir Mark John Boleat

him for his tireless dedication and outstanding service to the Ward of Cordwainer, the City Corporation, and the City of London over the past seventeen years.

Elected to the Court of Common Council in 2002, Mark quickly became a prominent Member of the Court. His background working for major national, European, and international trade associations proved immeasurably valuable to the City Corporation over the years and the City benefited greatly from his wealth of knowledge and experience.

Mark will be particularly remembered for his time as Chairman of Markets, during which he successfully led the difficult negotiations associated with working practices at Billingsgate markets, and of course for his Chairmanship of the Policy and Resources Committee. It’s difficult to overstate the dedication and energy he committed to the organisation, managing what is, in practice, a full-time role with good humour and enthusiasm, whilst also bringing a real clarity of direction and purpose to the City of London Corporation and its strategic and policy direction.

Mark’s achievements during his time at the City Corporation will have long-lasting effects for London and the country. From the commitment to build 3,700 new homes for Londoners by 2025, to the creation of the Cultural Hub in the west of the City, his prominent focus on social mobility, and the work to diversify London’s financial and business offering – there is much for both Mark and the Court to look back on and celebrate, and for us to be thankful to him for. The many ways in which Mark contributed were rightly recognised when he was awarded a knighthood in 2017, for services to the financial services industry and local government in London.

Given the changing position in which London is currently finding itself, we are particularly indebted to him for his work over the years in building links with policy makers and politicians in Europe, the United States and the Far East to promote the City and ensure it continues to be the pre-eminent global city for financial and professional services and for business generally. His influence also found expression in the initiative to establish London as the leading offshore hub for Renminbi trading, which led to the growing presence of Chinese banks and other financial institutions in London, as well as London’s emergence as the leading centre of Fintech, facilitated by support he led for Innovate Finance.

In taking its leave of him, this Honourable Court therefore extends to Sir Mark its sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation for his hard work and many achievements over the past seventeen years, as well as its very best wishes for the future.