William Russell, the 692nd Lord Mayor of the City of London, will serve an additional year in office to ensure continuity of leadership during the current COVID-19 outbreak.
The Lord Mayor was initially due to step down in November 2020 after completing a one-year term, following the scheduled election of his successor this September. He will now remain in office until November 2021, subject to being formally re-elected later this year.
The Lord Mayor acts as a global ambassador for the City, leading business delegations overseas to key international markets on behalf of the UK’s financial and professional services industry. He has also been strengthening ties with other cities across the country as part of the City of London Corporation’s UK strategy, which aims to increase inward investment and build awareness of how London can act as a global gateway for local firms to export their products and services.
The role involves meeting government representatives from around the world, alongside business leaders and policy makers both at home and abroad. Lord Mayor Russell has been continuing his domestic and international business engagement virtually during the current UK lockdown.
Lord Mayor William Russell said: “In light of the exceptional circumstances presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, this extension will provide stability and continuity of civic leadership through the current crisis and the eventual recovery phase.
“We must focus all our efforts on supporting the City, London and the UK during these tough times. Everybody should continue to work together with the same spirit of community, resilience and support that has seen us through difficult times in the past.
“The City of London Corporation has taken urgent action to support businesses, workers and residents during the current crisis. We will continue to review what further support we can provide, while also laying the foundations for our eventual recovery by continuing work on key long-term challenges and opportunities such as fintech and green finance.
“The fundamental strengths of London will help us to recover and rebuild, as we have done before.”
The Sheriffs of the City of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli and Christopher Hayward, will also serve an extra year term until September 2021. The Sheriffs and the Senior Alderman Below The Chair, Vincent Keaveny, support the Lord Mayor in his or her civic duties while also helping to promote the UK as a place to do business.
Photo credit: City of London Corporation
