Welcoming our Newest Freeman – Micheal Mainelli

The Company’s Ordinances provide that the Court may discretionarily admit suitable persons to the Honorary Freedom of the Company of Entrepreneurs, and, on Tuesday 5^th November, the Master and Wardens were delighted to welcome the Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, as a Freeman Entrepreneur.

In a formal Freedom Ceremony in the Lord Mayor’s Private Office at Mansion House, the Lord Mayor pledged to uphold the Company’s objects, and boldly made his Freeman’s declaration in the words of the Company Oath.

It is almost impossible to adequately summarise Michael's many many outstanding qualities and achievements. A qualified accountant, securities professional, computer specialist and management consultant, educated at Harvard University and Trinity College Dublin, Michael gained his PhD at London School of Economics where he was also a Visiting Professor. First elected Alderman for the Entrepreneurs’ Ward of Broad Street over ten years ago, Michael’s Mother Company is the Worshipful Company of World Traders of which he is a Past Master. He is also a Furniture Maker, Water Conservator, Marketor, Tax Adviser, Management Consultant, Security Professional, Engineer, Chartered Architect, a Maker of Playing Cards, International Banker, Scientific Instrument Maker, Educator, and a Craft-Owning Freeman of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen.

Alderman Mainelli was elected Sheriff in 2019 and was historically re-elected in 2020 to serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many will recall that, as Sheriff, Michael was the Principal Guest and Speaker at Master Andersen's online Installation Dinner in November 2020.

In 2023, Alderman Mainelli was elected to serve as the 695th Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the first American-born person to do so. His mayoral theme of 'Connect To Prosper' highlights the City of London's ability to solve global challenges - championing the ""scientific, academic and business worlds"", going beyond the traditional support of finance and professional services usually associated with the role.

Principally, he comes to the Company of Entrepreneurs as a true entrepreneur. He started a clutch of Swiss companies in seismology, cartography, and energy information in the late 1970s and early 80s. After some time in management and accountancy, and whilst pursuing both merchant banking and defence evaluation and research, Michael co-founded Z/Yen in 1994. Z/Yen remains the City of London’s leading think-tank, to promote societal advance through better finance and technology.  Michael’s clients include banks, exchanges, insurers, policy makers, governments, technology and scientific firms.

He continues to innovate and is an impassioned supporter of enterprise in all its forms.

Greeting the Lord Mayor formally for the first time as a Freeman Entrepreneur, the Master, Mr Mark Huxley, reflected on the many successes of the Civic Year, and the support that the Lord Mayor has given to the Company. A special gold-embossed certificate recording the Freedom honoris causa was presented to the Lord Mayor, and gifts were exchanged in welcome.

Images © Maggie Kozyniak