1) What do you do in your role?
The role of an Alderman is to represent his or her Ward by:
(a) dealing with any specific issues that are raised by electors
or residents/businesses in the Ward;
(b) contributing to the work of the City of London Corporation
by sitting as a member on one or more committees and as a governor
of one or more of the City's schools and as a trustee on one or
more of the City's charities;
(c) understanding the issues facing the City and its businesses
and residents and representing these interests in the affairs of
the Corporation and in public.
The role of an Alderman is also to prepare him or her self for
progression to Sheriff and the Mayoralty and post these
appointments to continue to support the Shrievalty and Mayoralty
and those progressing to it. In this respect, identifying future
candidates to stand for election to the Office of Aldermen is also
helpful as well as counselling and coaching those Aldermen wishing
to progress.
2) When, why and how did you first become involved with the
City of London Corporation?
I became involved with the City of London Corporation when I was
elected as an Alderman in May 2001. After a career as a chartered
accountant with PwC I had worked in many countries, particularly
Finland and China, and had experience of bringing international
companies to London for equity and bond issues and listings and for
acquisitions. I had been involved in promoting the City of London
and realised that I could contribute to promoting the City as an
Alderman, engaged in public service.
3) What do you think the key qualities/ experience are that
people doing your role should have?
Key qualities and experience include:
(a) success, achievement, recognition and credibility in one's
chosen career;
(b) ability to converse and relate to others;
(c) ability to understand the issues facing the businesses of
the City and promote the City's businesses;
(d) public speaking;
(e) presence in front of others;
(f) desire to engage in public service.
It is also very helpful to have been involved with some or many
aspects of the financial sector (banking, insurance, shipping,
accountancy, the law, consulting, property mangement etc) and
engaged in dealing with foreign companies and foreign
countries.
4) What's the most interesting thing about the role?
(a) Dealing with interesting subjects;
(b) Meeting interesting people, eg senior businessmen,
ambassadors, senior civil servants; UK and foreign Ministers and
Heads of State;
(c) Promoting the City;
(d) The variety of subjects one deals with;
(e) continuing centuries old traditions;
(f) public speaking;
(g) as Lord Mayor, the variety of the role and the contact with
so many different organisations and people, of all levels of
seniority
5) Why would you recommend it to others?
(a) Stimulating;
(b) Rewarding;
(c) of benefit to the City;
(d) Continuing traditions;
(e) Meeting interesting people;
(f) dealing with interesting topics;
(g) collegeality
(Sir John Stuttard was also Lord Mayor in
2006-7)