My Lord Mayor Elect, I have it by command from Her Majesty the Queen to convey Her Majesty's approval of the choice of citizens of London, in electing you to be Lord Mayor for the coming year.
It is a very great pleasure for me to be able to welcome you and Mrs Finch, and your other guests, to the House of Lords today, in order to convey to you this message, and to be the first to congratulate you on Her Majesty's approval.
May I also welcome you, Mr Recorder, once again to the House of Lords. We are glad that you too are with us today.
My Lord Mayor Elect, the Recorder has summarised your most distinguished and successful career which has led to your appointment in this ancient and honourable office.
In the coming year you will represent the interests of those who live, or work in the Square Mile, and I know that you are exceptionally well-placed to meet that responsibility.
Throughout your career you have been involved in promoting, protecting and enhancing the business community's interests in the City. Your work as a solicitor and Partner at Linklaters has shaped the physical infrastructure of the City. Your role in the acquisition, development, funding, and leasing of many of the significant post war ceremonial buildings in the City of London signals the continued growth and prominence of the City as a global powerhouse for finance and business. And of course I have seen your skills in action in the sale of the Millennium Dome in Greenwich.
Your civic career matches your achievements practising law. You are well prepared for the coming year. You are a member of the Court of the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC), the Courts of the Brideswell Royal Hospital and Christ's Hospital. You were Master of the Solicitor's Company in 2000/2001 and are a Court Assistant of the Innholders, whose history is almost as old as the Office of Mayor, dating back to the 13th Century. Elected Alderman of the City of London in 1992 and Sheriff in 1999, you bring to the office considerable experience and understanding of the expectations the City has of its Mayor.
You sit on numerous City Committees, including the City Lands Committee and Policy and Resources Committee. Bringing innovative design in development to the City but tempered by concern for conservation and you have ensured that the City has fine new architectural assets to blend with its past heritage.
As a Church Commissioner and member of the Council of St Paul's you contribute to the spiritual health of City.
You are a great patron of the Arts. You will continue this during your year as Lord Mayor when you will support Music and Arts for everyone, beginning with this as the theme for your show. Your beneficiaries include the outstanding LSO Discovery Programme, the London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO), the Unicorn Theatre Project, and the educational efforts of the Almeida Theatre, Whitechapel Art Gallery and the City Arts Trust. These projects highlight the importance of projecting London and its financial powerhouse as a centre and patron of the Arts as well as financial excellence.
If, which I doubt, you manage to take time out from your duties this year you will no doubt be sailing, or skiing, or relaxing in the Garden with your wife, who, I know, is also a keen gardener and has played her own part in City life as a Liveryman of the Gardeners Company. May I offer you and your family my congratulations and my very best wishes for the year ahead.