“Mind The Gap!” – The life and times of a man on the move Episode 65

In this weekly series, I look back on what stood out, what was bemusing, amusing and interesting during my weekly travels, interesting findings within the FX industry and interaction with an ever-shrinking big wide world. This is purely observational and for your enjoyment.

A Mind The Gap Special.

This week, I had the privilege of joining Peter Estlin, the 691st Lord Mayor of London, along with approximately 40 guests, to inaugurate this year’s City Giving Day, a charitable event focused on the financial services and fintech sector in the City of London, organized by the office of the Lord Mayor of London.

This testimony to the tireless efforts of London’s eternally flourishing City financial services businesses and the technology companies that underpin them is a clear demonstration of the philanthropic dedication that is omnipresent in British society.

This year, 424 companies participated in City Giving Day, which is a remarkable effort, along with individual philanthropists, all of whom, along with me, had the chance to meet and speak to the erudite and eloquent Peter Estlin.

Rather a different role to the Mayor Of London, the role of the Lord Mayor of London is to be responsible for the City of London and its financial sector, along with the Aldermen of the City. Mr Estlin, a chartered accountant, is also on the advisory board at Barclays PLC, one of the world’s top three interbank FX dealers by market share via its BARX single dealer platform.

Andrew Holdane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England gave a very insightful perspective on the importance of social responsibility within London’s world-leading financial markets industry. He said “At the Bank of England when making decisions about monetary and financial policies, we base those decisions on the impact they will have on the economy, the financial system and ultimately wider society.”

“In principle, the same should be true when it comes to the policies and practices of charities. These policies are most likely to be effective when their impact on society can be assessed and evaluated, objectively and rigorously. This is standard practice in parts of the charitable sector, but by no means all” said Mr Holdane.

Mr Holdane’s opinion is that the Lord Mayor’s Appeal does fantastic work to support people and communities. It is celebrating the first year of its strategic commitment to create A Better City for All.

“This commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and improved mental health chime closely with the objectives we at the Bank of England set for ourselves as an organisation” he said.

The theme for the day, which ran from 8.00am at London’s Guildhall where the Lord Mayor was welcomed by Music In Office’s rendition of Billy Bragg’s “I’ll Get By With A Little Help From My Friends” played on a trumpet and various percussion instruments whilst the leaders of several City-funded charities sung – as did the Lord Mayor who said “This was the most wonderful welcome I could wish for”, was to ‘paint London red’ by having volunteers and charity donors dress in red to match the colors of the Aldermen of the City, and to visit all 424 companies that contributed across the Square Mile and Canary Wharf until 8.00pm.

I was very honored to have been invited, and was joined by dignitaries from across the world, City Aldermen, leaders of industry, charity volunteers and teenage representatives of some of London’s most proud charitable efforts. all of whom have committed substantial resources toward philanthropy of worthy causes from medical research to alleviation of poverty, to investment in over 180 schools across London, to mental health support.

Here is a full montage of the initial part of the day: