What do you do in your role?
The Sheriff’s principle role is to support the Lord Mayor in his
prime task associated with the promotion of the United Kingdom
Financial Services Industry. This involves participating in a
series of different activities ranging from overseas visits, state
banquets, technical seminars and communicating with the Livery to
supporting the City Corporation’s services whether that be
sustainability awards, the City of London cemetery, Markets, Green
Spaces or the youth organizations such as the scouts, guides or St
John’s Ambulance. The other two important roles are that of
looking after the welfare of Her Majesty’s Judges at the Old Bailey
and acting as a communication between the Livery, the City
Corporation and the Mayoralty.
When, why and how did you first become involved with the City
of London Corporation?
It is important to stress that the non-Aldermanic Sheriff does
not have to have any intimate involvement with the City of London
Corporation. In my case, I have never actually worked within
the City nor have I been directly involved with Common Council or
any of the other areas of the City of London Corporation. My
own involvement has been as an active Liveryman of the Worshipful
Company of Plaisterers. I became a Liveryman in 1982, its
Master in 2000/01 and then served for some six years on the Livery
Committee.
What do you think the key qualities/experience are that people
doing your role should have?
The key qualities required for the role are a genuine interest
in people, a wish and ability to communicate an understanding of
how the City of London Corporation and the Mayoralty work and their
inter-relationship with the Livery. The other key qualities
are a dedication to the success of the Livery/Mayoralty/Corporation
team, enthusiasm and stamina.
What’s the most interesting thing about the role?
The most interesting thing about the role has to be the
inordinately wide variety of people that you meet during your
year of office. This stretches from our Queen to our Pearly
Queens, Generals to grave Diggers, Market Porters to MPs, Scouts to
Superstars and almost everyone else you care to think of.
Why would you recommend it to others?
It is a role where I had the opportunity to influence, albeit in a
relatively small way, the ongoing development and evolution of the
great and ancient City of London. It is a rewarding and
fulfilling year in which one gives one’s time fully to assisting
the Mayoralty and the Corporation of London. If that appeals
- go for it!
Peter Cook was Sheriff in 2009/10