Press releases New Lord Mayor elected for City of London
Monday 29 September 2008

Notes for Editors

The Lord Mayor is Head of the City of London which 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.

The City today elected Ian Luder as the 681st Lord Mayor of the City of London, to serve from Friday 7 November. Ian Luder, who served as Sheriff of the City 2007-2008, is an eminent tax accountant and City businessman, with a long-standing commitment to public service.

The annually elected Lord Mayor is the head of the City of London Corporation and acts during the year as ambassador for the whole UK-financial services industry, typically spending three months a year leading City business delegations overseas – and also meeting leading overseas politicians and business leaders visiting London.

Lord Mayor Elect Ian Luder’s charitable appeal will be on behalf of St John Ambulance and the Lord’s Taverners. His livery companies are the Coopers, the Tax Advisers (whom he helped found) and the Guild of Arts Scholars, Dealers & Collectors.

Speaking after his election, Lord Mayor Elect Ian Luder, said:

“In the current turmoil it is even more important to help the financial services sector recover, reform and play its proper part in the UK and world economy. These are difficult times but London has survived difficult times before and financial services is highly resilient sector which will need to play a major role in the global changes and growth of the 21st century.

“I don’t take office until November but one issue is already clear: while new regulation and reform are necessary it is vital to avoid the wrong regulation. History has taught us that regulation brought in hastily will be regretted at leisure.”

The Lord Mayor Elect, as he is known after today’s election, does not take office until the Silent Ceremony, which is held in Great Hall, Guildhall on Friday 7 November at 3.00pm, the day preceding the Lord Mayor’s Show (Saturday 8 November). The Lord Mayor’s Banquet, at which the Prime Minister speaks, follows on Monday 10 November at Guildhall.

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