Next Lord Mayor of London puts ‘service to society’ at the heart of financial services

Next Lord Mayor of London puts ‘service to society’ at the heart of financial services

News (UK)

Alderman Roger Gifford who was elected as the 685th Lord Mayor of the City of London on October 1, the first banker in many years to be awarded the honour, will make service to society a top priority of his tenure, as well as promoting the City of London as a global centre for philanthropy.

Speaking after his election, Lord Mayor Elect Gifford, UK Country Manager with merchant bank Skandinaviska Enskilda Bank (SEB), said: “Next month will mark exactly 30 years since I joined SEB and 35 years since I first started working in the City. During this time, London’s Square Mile has become a truly global centre - however, the focus of my year in office will be to underline that service is, and must be, at the heart of the financial services industry of the UK. In other words that the City must serve society – and be seen to do so.

 “As the first banker to serve as Lord Mayor for some time, I am determined to help more people understand banking’s proper role in society. I know from my career that through the financing of projects, companies and institutions, banks play a concrete part in society but this is a side of banking that many people know less about. It is also important to raise awareness that the financial services industry accounts for 9% of GDP and 12%of UK tax receipts.

Beyond that, I want to promote the City as a global centre for philanthropy. The Livery Companies already do a huge amount to support those in need, and I will be encouraging City institutions and individuals to do more in this area.”

Alderman Gifford will take office on Friday 9 November at 3pm, at the Silent Ceremony, held in Great Hall, Guildhall the day preceding the Lord Mayor's Show.

He will then spend three months of the year leading City business delegations overseas – and also meeting leading overseas politicians and business leaders visiting London’s financial community.

Lord Mayor Elect Gifford’s charitable appeal, ‘The City in Society’, will focus on the City as a global centre for philanthropy and the arts, and reflect on the City of London’s major contribution to the society it serves in the 21st century. By giving a platform to its chosen charities, the Appeal aims to encourage and challenge people to give more and do more, to secure the future for the next generation. The appeal will be primarily in support of the City Music Foundation, which provides new opportunities for aspiring professional musicians in the early stages of their careers. Other charities include Futures For Kids, Epping Forest Appeal, The Harold Samuel Collection and the Lord Mayor’s Scholarship Programmes.

Among his many official roles, Alderman Gifford is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians and the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (Master 2010/11); a Trustee of St Paul’s Cathedral Foundation, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School Foundation and King Edward’s School Witley; chair of the English Chamber Orchestra and the Tenebrae Choir, among other arts involvements.

  • City Philanthropy
  • UK