On Michaelmas Eve (28th September) 2022, it was the privilege of the Master Entrepreneur, Mrs Judy Hadden, to attend the admission ceremony of the City of London’s new Sheriffs at Guildhall.

Notwithstanding the traditional pomp of this ancient City ceremonial, it was an especially important occasion for the Company of Entrepreneurs, as the new Aldermanic Sheriff is the Company’s sponsoring Alderman and current Junior Warden, Alderman Alastair King DL.

Having sworn their ancient oaths (indeed, the office of Sheriff predates that of the Lord Mayor), Alderman King, and his non-Aldermanic colleague, Mr Andrew Marsden, accepted newly-fashioned chains of office from their predecessors - Aldermen Gowman and Lyons, respectively.

Alastair and Andrew, who were elected by the Livery at Common Hall in Midsummer, will now serve as Sheriffs for a year - the first six weeks in support of the current Lord Mayor, Alderman Vincent Keaveny, and the remainder of their term in support of Alderman Keaveny’s successor (who will be chosen by the Livery at Michaelmas Common Hall, on 29th September).

Reflecting on the legacy of the first Master Entrepreneur, Alderman Sir Paul Judge, who was serving his shrieval year at the time of the then Guild’s foundation, Mrs Hadden wished Alderman King the very best for his year, and expressed her delight that the Company of Entrepreneurs would again be represented by a member of the senior civic team.

Notes: Alastair John Naisbitt King DL practised a solicitor for a number of years before moving into venture capital/private equity, and founding asset management and advisory companies under the Naisbitt King Group.

He was elected as a Common Councilman in the Ward of Queenhithe in 1999 and was elected as Alderman for the Ward in 2016

He was admitted as a Freeman Entrepreneur in 2015, and was elected to the Court in 2017. He is currently serving as the most junior of the Company’s three Wardens, and takes office as the Company’s Middle Warden on 24th November.

You can read more about Alderman King at 
https://democracy.cityoflondon.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=269

You can read more about the office of Sheriif (transcribed from a talk by Sir Robin Gillett in 1984) at 

http://liverycompanies.info/fellowship-of-clerks/sheriff-matters/role-of-the-sheriffs.pdf
 

 

( Photo © Sharpphoto.co.uk )