21 November 2008
WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell to receive Freedom of the City of
London
Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO of the world's largest advertising and
marketing services group WPP, will receive the Freedom of the City
of London on Monday 24 November at midday in the historic Guildhall
EC2. Sir Martin was nominated by the Lord Mayor of the City of
London, Alderman Ian Luder, and Alderman Alison Gowman.
One of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies still in
existence today, the Freedom of the City of London is believed to
have begun in 1237. Traditionally, it gave recipients the freedom
to earn money and own land – usually only bestowed to feudal lords.
Today it is not an award but links recipients to London’s City as
they pledge to “keep this city harmless.”
Sir Martin actively supports the advancement of international
business schools – advising Harvard, Boston University School of
Management, IESE, the London Business School, the Judge Institute,
Cambridge and the Indian School of Business. He's been an
Ambassador for British Business and received a knighthood in
January 2000. WPP companies provide clients with advertising, media
investment management, information, insight and consultancy, public
relations and public affairs, branding and identity, healthcare
communications, direct, interactive and internet marketing, and
specialist communications services. Its worldwide companies include
JWT, Grey, Ogilvy & Mather, Y&R, Burston-Marsteller, Hill
& Knowlton, Mindshare, Millward Brown, Landor, TNS and
Wunderman.
Lord Mayor Ian Luder said: “Sir Martin is one of the best known
names in advertising and communications and his success in
developing WPP into a major international force is unparalleled. He
is a great ambassador for British business across the world.”
Notes to Editors
About the Freedom: One of the oldest surviving
traditional ceremonies still in existence today, the Freedom of the
City of London is believed to have begun in 1237. Today, it is not
an award but links recipients to London’s City as they pledge to
“keep this city harmless”. Following a declaration and signing of
the Declaration Book, those receiving the Freedom are now given a
document of sheepskin parchment called ‘copy of Freedom’ and a book
entitled ‘Rules for the Conduct of Life”. The Freedom gives two
benefits to the recipient: if a Freeman's children are orphaned,
they may be educated at The Freeman’s School at Ashtead in Surrey
at no cost to the family; or if in old age, a recipient is
destitute, they may qualify for housing in the Alms houses. Many of
the traditional privileges associated with the Freedom, such as
driving sheep across London Bridge; to go about the City with a
drawn sword; and to be married in St Paul's Cathedral have long
since disappeared.
About the City of London Corporation: The City
of London Corporation 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 enquiries:
Laura Citron, City of London Corporation
Tel 020 7332 1835