Former Managing Director and Chief Privacy Officer at the London Stock Exchange, Vivienne Artz, has received the Freedom of the City of London, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the UK’s financial services sector and expertise in inclusion and diversity issues.

A Board Director and strategic consultant on data, digital, privacy, and financial crime, and recognised for her 25 years’ experience in the global financial and professional services sector, Vivienne was nominated by Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, and former Policy Chair, Catherine McGuinness.

Vivienne’s current roles include Board Director of the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation; Data Strategy and Privacy Policy Advisor to the Centre for Information Policy Leadership; Chair of the Data Privacy Expert Group at the Global Coalition for the Fight Against Financial Crime; and Advisory Board member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for AI.

Vivienne was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours in 2021 for services to financial services and gender diversity.

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said:

“Vivienne is truly remarkable, not just for the sheer number of executive level positions that she holds in such a wide range of fields, but also for the passion and energy that she invests in everything that she does.

“I was delighted to nominate her for the Freedom of the City of London and we enjoyed welcoming Vivienne and her guests to Guildhall for her ceremony.”

Elected Member Catherine McGuinness said:

“From privacy and financial crime to artificial intelligence, diversity and equality, Vivienne is on top of the issues and at the top of her game.

“Eminently worthy of the City’s award of the Freedom for her outstanding achievements, it is not remotely surprising that Vivienne is regarded as a role model by so many women in the financial services sector who look to her for inspiration.”

Vivienne Artz said:

“I am deeply honoured and delighted to receive the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of my contributions over so many years to the UK-based financial and professional services sector. 

“It continues to be a great pleasure and a privilege to work with so many inspiring colleagues and friends from across the City of London, helping to shape and navigate the bright future ahead for the City.

“The City is a hub and hive of activity for innovation, opportunity, tradition, sustainability and inclusion, both nationally and internationally, constantly evolving to meet, support and lead through the terrific people who enable the City and its vibrant community to thrive.”

One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.

As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.

Recent high-profile recipients include theatrical impresario, Sir Cameron Mackintosh; LGBTQ+ activist and London Night Czar, Amy Lamé; former England and Arsenal footballer, Ian Wright; and the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Buckingham, Media Officer (Arts, Culture, Heritage, Licensing), City of London Corporation / 07795 333060 / andrew.buckingham@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK –  www.cityoflondon.gov.uk