London,
29
September
2016
|
12:00
Europe/London

Next City Lord Mayor Elected

Alderman Andrew Parmley has today been elected as the next Lord Mayor of the City of London. Alderman Parmley will serve as the global ambassador for the UK-based financial and professional services industry from 11 November 2016 and he will serve a one year term.

The Lord Mayor Elect will succeed the current Lord Mayor Jeffrey Mountevans and will become the 689th Lord Mayor. He will take office after the Silent Ceremony on Friday 11 November at the Guildhall in the heart of the Square Mile, with the annual Lord Mayor’s Show taking place on Saturday 12 November. The Lord Mayor’s Banquet follows on Monday 14 November at the Guildhall, where the Prime Minister will speak.

The Lord Mayor Elect will act as a spokesperson for the City, leading overseas business delegations to key international markets on behalf of UK financial, professional and business services. He will meet with government representatives from around the world, alongside business leaders and policy makers. He will look to strengthen economic ties with the UK, identify new business opportunities and reassure them that the UK is a top global destination for foreign investment.

Alderman Parmley has extensive experience in the creative industries, education and music sector where he has spent a number of years teaching, examining and composing. Born in Manchester, he will champion the Northern Powerhouse as well as wider economic regeneration. He will continue to celebrate the contribution of the UK’s regions and show how they contribute to a vibrant and successful financial and professional services sector.

Alderman Andrew Parmley said:

“The City of London is part of the very fabric of the capital and entire country, as well as being a world-famous institution in its own right. We all recognise that it is an essential part of the UK’s economy: the financial and professional services sector accounts for 2.2 million jobs, 11 per cent of GDP and £66 billion in tax revenues. During my year in office I will strive to champion and speak up for this industry both domestically and internationally, particularly as the City faces up to the challenges and opportunities that Brexit will pose.

“However, I will also promote the Square Mile’s educational and cultural offer. The City of London Corporation is proud to support a number of high-performing schools and flagship academies and we are committed to increasing the skills and employability of young people across London. We also have ambitious plans to build a world-class Centre for Music and relocate the Museum of London to boost the fantastic arts and culture opportunities in the Square Mile. I am immensely looking forward to representing all that the City can offer as Lord Mayor.”

Dr Parmley’s Biography

  • Alderman Parmley was educated at Blackpool Grammar School, then the Royal Academy of Music, at both Manchester and London Universities, before going to Jesus College, Cambridge. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from Strathclyde University.
  • He has been the Alderman for Vintry Ward since 2001 and a Common Councilman since 1992. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, and has been Honorary Organist of the church of St James Garlickythe for almost 35 years. He is also an Honorary Fellow and Visiting Professor of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he has served as a Chairman.
  • He has been a Director of Music in a number of schools and is the current Principal of The Harrodian School in West London. He is committed to attracting international talent to London to diversify not only culture and the creative industries he is dedicated to, but also the financial, commercial and business City.
  • As former Chairman of the Montessori St Nicholas Charity, he has shown support for the historic and innovative classroom practices that have developed over the last century to aid special needs children to reach their full potential. He is a Past Master of the Musicians’ company in the City and also serves as International Ambassador for the London Symphony Orchestra and Patron of the London Youth Choir
  • Dr Parmley is a member of the Prime Minister’s Apprenticeship Delivery Board which aims to create three million new apprenticeships over the next five years - an initiative that will broaden opportunities for young people and stimulate dynamism and growth in the City.
  • He is currently the sponsoring Alderman for the Guild of Nurses and Honorary President of the Guild of Young Freemen. With his wife, Wendy, he has also founded an educational charity with interests in Asia and North America, the Transcontinental School Innovation Alliance.

Notes to editors

  1. About the Lord Mayor of the City of London
  • The Lord Mayor is head of the Square Mile’s City of London authority for one year and the position is unpaid and apolitical. It is an exceptionally demanding role. The Lord Mayor spends some 90 days abroad and addresses some 10,000 people face-to-face each month (making around 800 speeches a year).
  • The Lord Mayor represents City businesses and helps the City Corporation advise the Government of the day on what is needed to help the financial services sector to function well. The Lord Mayor frequently travels to represent the City; and travels overseas with the status of a Cabinet Minister.
  • On average, the Lord Mayor will meet one head of state a month and will meet a prime minister or finance minister each week to discuss financial services, often in conjunction with senior City business representatives. The Lord Mayor lives in the Mansion House for the Mayoral year.
  • More information on the Lord Mayor can be found here.
  1. The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:
  • We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust makes grants of around £20 million annually to charitable projects across London and we also support education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
  • We also help look after key London’s heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London.
  • We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach.
  • See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.