The Lord Mayor

The Rt Hon the Lord Mayor of the City of London is an international ambassador for the UK’s financial and professional services sector.

The UK is a world leading international financial centre and the top net exporter of finance worldwide. The global gateway for financial and professional services (FPS) businesses, it offers an open financial centre with unparalleled reach, deep, liquid pools of capital, and a significant presence of international investors.

The UK ranks top for FPS innovation. Here firms can access a one-of-a-kind innovation ecosystem. This brings together strong policy support, finance and access to global markets and future-focused talent from world-leading FPS and tech.

The UK is the leading international financial centre for sustainable finance. It offers a one stop shop to investors, firms and governments who will find a full spectrum of sustainable services and products.

Together, FPS employ 2.3m people across the UK, with two thirds of these jobs outside of London. There are plenty of good stories to tell and it is the Lord Mayor’s job to tell them, at home and abroad.

The Lord Mayor also heads the City of London Corporation, 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. Together with other leading members of the City Corporation he makes sure that the City’s interests are reflected in local and national policy.

Within the City’s boundaries, only the Sovereign takes precedence. During his year in office the Lord Mayor hosts diverse visiting heads of state, heads of government and other foreign dignitaries on behalf of His Majesty and HM Government.

The Lord Mayor works closely with the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, although they have distinct and separate responsibilities.

The Mansion House is the home and office of the Lord Mayor. This historic building provides a spectacular setting for business meetings, civic and livery activity, and conferences. Not normally open to the public, the Worshipful Company of Insurers holds its annual banquet in the spectacular Egyptian Hall.

• Alastair King (pictured) is the 696th Lord Mayor of the City of London.

The Sheriffs

In order to become Lord Mayor, one must be an Aldermanic Sheriff first.

The Sheriffs support the Lord Mayor, they advise him on matters important to the City, help with hosting dinners for visiting dignitaries, and travel with him in his business visits. They also look after the Judges at the Old Bailey and make sure that the court's business runs smoothly.

They are elected each year on Midsummer's day by the City livery companies. One must be an Alderman - the senior representative of one of the City's Wards, and another elected position - and both Sheriffs need to be members of a livery company. Their tenure is one year and runs from September to September.

• The Sheriffs for 2023-24 were Dame Susan Langley and Bronek Masojada (pictured), both members of the Worshipful Company of Insurers. Bronek is a Past Master of the Company. Dame Susan will, subject to the City's election procedures, become the 697th holder of the office of Lord Mayor and will be the first to be styled Lady Mayor. The WCI will be her Mother Company and will have an important role to play in supporting her year in office from November 2025.

• Members of the Worshipful Company of Insurers are entitled to attend and vote in the election of sheriffs. Look out for details in the events section of the website.