Today was a special day, when the Common Hall assembled and elected a new Lord Mayor. It is a colourful affair, genteel in manner, but important in carrying out a very old election. Common Hall is a term used to describe a gathering of liverymen, and concerned with an election. The new Lord Mayor will be the first born in the USA, with a personal link to the UK, Ireland and Italy, making him very global in outlook. The lucky winner of the election today being Prof. Michael Mainelli, he is a scientist, economist, and accountant, known for being chairman of Z/Yen. In his address today he spoke of the importance to London of science and technology, of the 8,000 businesses engaged in technology and in his Mayoral year, he will champion ‘Connect to Prosper’, an initiative focused on harnessing the City's vast knowledge ecosystem of our over 40 learned societies, 70 higher education institutions, and 130 research institutes, in and around the City. People often do not recognise what a dynamic hub for innovation Lonson is. I’m very encouraged to hear there will be a focus on technology and innovation in the year ahead and recognition of the importance to our economy.
