London,
29
September
2017
|
13:00
Europe/London

New Lord Mayor of the City of London Elected

Charles Bowman has today been elected as the next Lord Mayor of the City of London. The elected head of the City of London Corporation, an Alderman and a senior partner with PwC, he will serve as a global ambassador for the UK-based financial and professional services industry from 10 November 2017 for a one year term.

He will succeed the current Lord Mayor Dr Andrew Parmley and become the 690th person to hold the position. He will take office after the Silent Ceremony on Friday 10 November at Guildhall, in the heart of the Square Mile, with the annual Lord Mayor’s Show taking place on Saturday 11 November. The Lord Mayor’s Banquet follows on Monday 13 November at Guildhall where the Prime Minister will also give a speech.

The Lord Mayor will act as a spokesperson for the City, including leading overseas business delegations to key international markets on behalf of the UK’s financial and professional services industry. In the role he will meet government representatives from around the world, alongside business leaders and policy makers both at home and abroad. 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.

During the year Charles Bowman will look to promote his ‘Business of Trust’ agenda. This will aim to build a more trustworthy financial and professional services sector. The programme is underpinned by research, including citizens’ juries held across the UK, the development of guiding principles for business and the convening of a leaders of tomorrow group made up of financial and professional service representatives. It will challenge and encourage City businesses to connect with their communities, operate responsibly with integrity and have a positive impact on society and the environment. The ‘Business of Trust’ programme will officially launch after he has taken office in November.

Charles Bowman said:

“The City of London is a national asset for the UK, accounting for billions of pounds in revenue and taxes and creating millions of jobs across the UK. It is also a unique, cultural and diverse institution and it will be an honour to become the 690th Lord Mayor. I am immensely looking forward to taking office later this year.

“During my mayoralty I will champion a Brexit that works for City firms and communities and I will be speaking to Government regularly to ensure this happens. We are clear that we want to see mutual access to EU markets continue, ensure early agreement on a transitional deal and make sure we continue to allow the brightest and best to find jobs in the UK.

“We also need to do more to demonstrate the value and integrity of the City to the public. During my year in office, through the ‘Business of Trust’ programme, I will be challenging business to raise its game – better business trusted by society. All too often business is scored poorly when the public is asked about its role in society. I will look to develop a progressive and lasting legacy to help the City tackle this issue over the coming years.”

Charles Bowman’s Biography

  • Charles joined PwC in September 1983, qualified as a chartered accountant in 1986 and was admitted to partnership in 1995. His main area of specialism has been delivering audit and capital market transaction services to large listed and multi-national companies.
  • Partnership roles have included setting up and leading PwC’s audit and assurance practice looking after the firm’s FTSE 100 and larger listed clients. Other leadership roles have included Non-Executive Director of PwC’s Tax Practice, leading the firm’s Building Public Trust programme and acting as the partner responsible for the firm’s Senior Networking Programme.
  • Charles has served on the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants England & Wales, is a former Chairman of their Audit and Assurance Faculty and also their Assurance Panel. He is the current Chairman of the Audit Quality Forum and sits on the Advisory Panel of The Prince of Wales’ Accounting for Sustainability Project.
  • Elected as the Alderman of the Ward of Lime Street in May 2013, Charles became the Aldermanic Sheriff of the City of London in September 2015. He has served on a number of the committees of the City of London Corporation including Policy & Resources, Finance, Audit & Risk and Markets. He was also co-Chairman of The City’s Business – with a focus on youth employability.
  • Charles is a member of the Court of the Worshipful Company of Grocers and a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales. He is a Magistrate, a governor of the Park Side Primary School Academy, Hackney (part of Mossbourne Federation), Ambassador for the Samaritans, Trustee of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and Advisor to The Mansion House Scholarship Scheme.
  • He is married to Samantha, a veterinary surgeon and liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen. They have two daughters. His other interests include golf, tennis, art and architecture and the countryside – including, when allowed, helping to shepherd a small flock of sheep.

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.