26 September 2008
New Sheriffs take up office at the City of London
Two new Sheriffs of London took office today (Friday 26
September), following their election at the Guildhall.
Elected in June this year, Alderman Roger Gifford and Mr George
Gillon, who both represent the Cordwainer ward, have now taken over
take over from Alderman and Sheriff Ian Luder and Alderman and
Sheriff Michael Bear.
Alderman Gifford was elected to the Court of Aldermen in 2004.
He has spent 30 years working in international merchant banking in
the City and is currently UK Country Manager for SEB (Skandinaviska
Enskilda Bank). He is also chairman of the Association of Foreign
Banks, which represents overseas banks based in the UK. He is a
liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Musicians and the Worshipful
Company of International Bankers, a trustee of St Paul’s Cathedral
foundation, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School Foundation and King
Edward’s School Witley. He has a strong involvement with music and
the arts and is Chairman of the English Chamber Orchestra. He is
married to Dr Clare Taylor and, between them, they have six
children.
Mr Gillon became a member of the City of London’s Court of
Common Council in 1995 and sits on a number of committees including
Policy & Resources, City Lands & Bridge House Estates and
Port Health & Environmental Services. He spent 14 years in
Glasgow as a Chartered Surveyor before moving to the City in 1979.
More recently, he has spent 16 years as a partner at commercial
property consultants Drivers Jonas. Mr Gillon is a liveryman of the
Chartered Surveyors’ Company, having served as Master from
2002-2003. Other positions he has held include CBI London Council
member, non-Executive Director of the Stewart Milne Group, Governor
of the City of London’s School for Girls, the Chartered Surveyors’
and the Caledonian Club Charitable Trusts and the Honourable Irish
Society. He has long been active in the City’s important links with
its near-neighbour boroughs, in particular through the City Fringe
Partnership, on which he serves as City board member. Mr Gillon is
supported by his escort, Delva Patman, also a Past Master Chartered
Surveyor, an Honorary Air Commodore of the Royal Auxiliary Air
Force and senior partner of her own specialist surveying
practice.
While the office of Sheriff dates back to the 7th century and is
of long-standing importance in the government of the City of
London, its holders also take an increasing role in supporting the
Lord Mayor and City Corporation in promoting and sustaining the
Square Mile and the wider UK-based financial and related business
sector, for example in meeting senior business and political
visitors from overseas.
Their duties include attending the Lord Mayor in carrying out
official and ceremonial duties, attending the sessions at the
Central Criminal Court in the Old Bailey and presenting petitions
from the City to Parliament at the Bar at the House of Commons. One
of the conditions to be a candidate for Lord Mayor is to have
served as Sheriff.
Ends
More information about the Sheriffs of the City of London,
including high-res images
Notes for editor
The City of London 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
Andrew Buckingham, Press Officer, City of London:
andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk,
telephone 020 7332 1452