Today the Lord Mayor, as head of the Corporation of London, represents both the oldest and one of the most modern municipal authorities in the world. The City of London Corporation is the local authority for the Square Mile and the Lord Mayor is Chairman of its two governing bodies, the Court of Aldermen and the Court of Common Council.
The role of Lord Mayor has evolved over the centuries, adapting to modern times while preserving long-standing customs and traditions. He is seen as a symbol both of the stability and strength of the financial City and of the Corporation's continuity and openness to change.
During his year of office he travels the world as an ambassador for the business City, promoting it as the world's leading international financial centre and boosting the profile of British business at home and abroad. The Lord Mayor is well placed to establish valuable contacts both at diplomatic and top boardroom level. These contacts open up business opportunities in the City and help maintain London's position as the world's leading international financial centre.
He is also Admiral of the Port of London, Chief Magistrate of the City and Chancellor of the City University as well as being patron and president of numerous charitable and official funds, trusts and similar organisations.
The Corporation's responsibilities extend far beyond the City boundaries - it provides a host of additional facilities for the benefit of the nation, including the Barbican Arts Centre, open spaces such as Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath, four Thames bridges and the Central Criminal Court.
The Mayor of London
The new Millenium has seen new changes in the way London is governed. Spring 2000 saw the election of the first Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority (GLA), who together are responsible for the strategic running of London as a whole. This involves the Mayor of London and the GLA working with the 33 boroughs that make up greater London, complementing the valuable and particular work that each local Authority undertakes on behalf of its constituents. In the case of the City this means that the Lord Mayor and the Corporation will continue their specific, vigorous and expert promotion of the Square Mile while working with the Mayor of London and the GLA in the ongoing development and regeneration of the capital as a whole.