29 September 2008
New Lord Mayor elected for City of London
The City today elected Ian Luder as the 681st Lord Mayor of the
City of London, to serve from Friday 7 November (Lord Mayor’s Show
and fireworks Saturday 8 November).
Ian Luder, who served as Sheriff of the City 2007-2008, is an
eminent tax accountant and City businessman, with a long-standing
commitment to public service.
The annually-elected Lord Mayor is the head of the City of
London Corporation and acts during the year as ambassador for the
whole UK-financial services industry, typically spending three
months a year leading City business delegations overseas – and also
meeting leading overseas politicians and business leaders visiting
London.
Lord Mayor Elect Ian Luder’s charitable appeal will be on behalf
of St John Ambulance and the Lord's Taverners. His livery companies
are the Coopers, the Tax Advisers (whom he helped found) and the
Guild of Arts Scholars, Dealers & Collectors.
Speaking after his election, Lord Mayor Elect Ian Luder,
said:
"In the current turmoil it is even more important to help the
financial services sector recover, reform and play its proper part
in the UK and world economy. These are difficult times but London
has survived difficult times before and financial services is a
highly resilient sector which will need to play a major role in the
global changes and growth of the 21st century.
“I don’t take office until November but one issue is already
clear: while new regulation and reform are necessary it is vital to
avoid the wrong-regulation. History has taught us that regulation
brought in hastily will be regretted at leisure.”
The Lord Mayor Elect, as he is known after today’s election,
does not take office until the Silent Ceremony, which is held in
Great Hall, Guildhall on Friday 7 November at 3.00pm, the day
preceding the Lord Mayor's Show (Saturday 8 November). The Lord
Mayor's Banquet, at which the Prime Minister speaks, follows on
Monday 10 November at Guildhall.
Ends
Notes to editors
The Lord Mayor is Head of the City of London which provides
local government services for the Square Mile, the financial and
commercial heart of Britain, and is committed to maintaining and
enhancing the status of the business City as the world's leading
international financial and business centre through its policies
and services. Its responsibilities also extend far beyond the City
boundaries and include management of the Barbican Centre, Central
Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, 10,000 acres of open space
including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest, three wholesale food
markets, as well as acting as the London Port Health Authority.
Press contact
Greg Williams, 020 7332 1455 / 07889 167 205