25 September 2009
City's new Sheriffs step into office at Guildhall
The two new Sheriffs of London took office today (Friday 25
September), following their election at the Guildhall in July this
year.
Alderman David Wootton and Peter J Cook will preside at the
Election of the Lord Mayor on Tuesday (Tuesday 29 September) after
taking over today from Alderman Sheriff Roger Gifford and Sheriff
George Gillon.
Alderman Wootton was elected Alderman for the Ward of Langbourn
in 2005. He became a partner at Allen & Overy in 1979,
specialising in corporate transactions and best-practice compliance
with law and regulation in corporate governance. This involved
dealing with mergers and acquisitions, IPOs and joint ventures
across various international markets. He is currently a committee
member of the City of London Law Society. Alderman Wootton is a
governor of several institutions, including the Guildhall School of
Music & Drama, King Edward's School in Witley, and the City of
London Academy Southwark. He is also a Trustee and Chairman of the
Audit Committee of the King's Fund, Chairman of the Trustees of the
Charles Dickens Museum and music patron of St Paul's Cathedral. He
is married to Mrs Elizabeth Wootton and they have four
children.
Mr Cook served as a member of the Livery Committee from 2002 to
2009, being Chairman of its Communications Working Group from 2007.
After joining the Blue Circle Cement Group in Salisbury, Rhodesia
(now Harare, Zimbabwe) in 1964, Peter J Cook was transferred to the
UK six year later. In 1977, he took over the running of the Group's
decorative products activities and established Blue Circle Sandtex
Limited. Sheriff Cook completed a management buy out in 1986, which
led him to found Snowcem PMC Limited and develop the enterprise
both in the UK and overseas. This operation involved manufacturing
plasters, renders and related building products. He also helped
Snowcem to establish a manufacturing plant in the Middle East and
undertake major consultancy work in India before selling the
business a decade later.
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.
Read the CVs of the new Sheriffs. Photos available upon request
after 3.00pm
Ends
Notes for editors
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 a world 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
Sanjay Odedra
Tel: 020 7332 1835
Mob: 07831 542856
Email:
sanjay.odedra@cityoflondon.gov.uk