The Senior Warden of the Company of Entrepreneurs is Alderman Alastair King DL. In addition to the many metaphorical hats that he wears across the City of London’s financial and charitable sectors, he will wear several more when he takes up the role of Lord Mayor in November 2024.

There was a robust cheer of “aye!” in Guildhall on Monday 30th September as the Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiff, and Liverymen of the City’s 111 Livery Companies shouted their support for Alderman King to succeed Alderman Mainelli as Lord Mayor.

 As the 696th Lord Mayor of the City of London and the elected head of the City of London Corporation, Alastair will serve 12 months as a global ambassador for the UK financial and professional services industry from Friday 8th November.

 The annual Lord Mayor’s Show takes place on Saturday 9 November, which will be Alderman King’s first public engagement. Freemen Entrepreneurs will, for the first, time have the opportunity to join the Show as part of a dedicated Company of Entrepreneurs’ float in support of Alderman King. Alastair makes history as the first Freeman Entrepreneur to be elected as Lord Mayor.

 During his Mayoral year, Alderman King will champion his ‘Growth Unleashed’ theme, by promoting a revitalised, resilient, and risk-ready City. His theme will focus on challenging industry to maximise opportunities through responsible risk-taking, driving the adoption of technologies, and celebrating the successes of the many diverse communities across the UK.

 ‘Growth Unleashed’ will look to drive growth and investment particularly in areas where the UK has a competitive advantage.

 He will also champion the City and UK’s diverse communities by establishing new networks to bring together different communities to foster collaboration, celebrate achievements, promote growth.

 The Lord Mayor Elect wryly reflected that it was a rather particular honour to have been elected as the 696thincumbent of anything – musing on several historic examples of both over- and under-numerousness.

 Drawing on his own entrepreneurial experience, Alderman King said: "The City must reignite its appetite for risk, seize our national edge in innovation, and support the productive parts of the economy. Only then can we secure our position as the world’s top financial hub."

 NOTES: Alastair King was admitted as a Freeman of the then Guild of Entrepreneurs in 2016 and elected to Court in 2017. Having served as Junior Warden in 2021-22, and Middle Warden in 2022-23, he was confirmed as Senior Warden in November 2023 - a role in which he will continue to serve during his mayoral term. Subject to election, Alderman King will serve as the 12th Master Entrepreneur from 24th November 2025.

 His background is in law and finance, and his numerous businesses have been built around asset management and investment. Early in his career, Alastair practiced as a solicitor at leading international law firm Baker & McKenzie in the City and in Asia. Alastair later held senior positions at SPARK Ventures (formally NewMedia SPARK PLC) a pioneering technology venture capital company in London, and was Managing Director at Galahad Capital Plc

Alastair is the founder and Chairman of Naisbitt King Asset Management Limited (NKAML), an FCA-authorised asset management company, specialising in managing segregated portfolios of investment grade fixed income securities. NKAML constructs bespoke portfolios, often with special reference to Environmental, Social and Governance characteristics.

 Alastair was first elected as a Common Councilman of the Ward of Queenhithe (where he resides) in 1999 and was then elected Alderman in 2016. He serves on a wide range of City of London Corporation Committees, including the Finance and Culture, Heritage and Libraries committees. Alastair served his term as Aldermanic Sheriff for 2022-2023.

Photo © Naisbitt King Group