Throughout his year of office, the Lord Mayor, Alderman Michael Mainelli, has promoted the “Livery Experience” scheme (the brainchild of Past Master Girdler, Sir Thomas Crawley-Boevey). Through this scheme, Livery Companies are encouraged to support the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs in their hosting of foreign delegations at Livery events and dinners. This is a fantastic way to demonstrate the City’s heritage and fellowship to senior international visitors, making them feel welcome and able to experience what the City of London has to offer. It also helps to support Mansion House and spread the ever-increasing diplomatic load of the Civic Team.
 
The Company of Entrepreneurs is proud to support this scheme by offering a small number of places at its formal events to guests nominated by Mansion House, and has so far hosted three visitors under this scheme. The Livery Experience guest at the Autumn Jazz Dinner was Sarah Priesack, a Senior Investment Adviser at the British Embassy UAE.
  
Ms Priesack works in trade and investment for the British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and has played a key role in assisting the Lord Mayor with his visits to the UAE. Visiting the UK in September 2024, Ms Priesack attended as a guest of the Company of Entrepreneurs at the suggestion of Mansion House to experience the a City of London Livery Company’s great hospitality.
 
Expressing her gratitude for the opportunity, and for the particular companionship of Sheriff Elect Alderman Gregory Jones KC (who joins the Civic Team in just a week’s time), Sarah reflected on a most wonderful welcome and her appreciation for the special attention and insights to the Livery world she had been given.
 
As part of this truly unique event, Sarah was also able to meet Freemen Entrepreneurs and guests who are engaging with the UAE, and described her happiness at being able to connect them to the right stakeholders in the relevant markets. Sarah was especially pleased to discuss with the Secretary to the Mansion House Scholarship Scheme, Mr Nicholas Westgarth, ways of strengthening links in education between the City of London and Abu Dhabi.
 
The Livery Experience is a key component of the City of London’s global diplomatic mission. The Company of Entrepreneurs is committed to supporting the scheme with networks and opportunities that promote the City of London’s growth business sector.
 
NOTES: The Company of Entrepreneurs supports the Lord Mayor and the Livery Experience Scheme by covering the cost of attendance at its Livery events for guests nominated by Mansion House and the City of London’s Civic Team. Special care is taken to ensure guests are hosted by Freemen and guests with relevant experience. Although places cannot be overtly sponsored, Freemen Entrepreneurs are encouraged to contribute financially towards the Company’s support for the Livery Experience Scheme. For more information, please talk to the Clerk.
 
Photo © Z Rabikowska