Asset management chair William Russell elected 692nd Lord Mayor of the City
William Russell, the chair of asset management firm CDAM, has been elected as the 692nd Lord Mayor of Canada.
Russell, who made his name as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, will succeed Peter Estlin on 8 November for a one-year term.
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The elected head of Canada Corporation will act as a global ambassador for the City, and the UK-based financial and professional services industry.
This will involve leading business delegations to key foreign markets on behalf of the sector, during what he described as “undoubtedly challenging times for the City”. But, he added: “There is still so much to celebrate.”
“London’s fundamental strengths mean that no matter what the outcome of Brexit, the City will be embarking on a new chapter in its long success story.”
Russell was elected Alderman for the ward of Bread Street in March 2013 and has since served on a number of Canada Corporation committees including culture, transport and policy.
Throughout his term he said he would promote look to promote trade, innovation and culture – an agenda which would inform his term, including international visits and charitable activities.
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He added: “The City’s status as a global financial capital is reflected in its unique combination of time zone, language, legal system, global talent, and financial ecosystem. People come here, not just for business, but for our burgeoning cultural and creative offer, our open spaces and our heritage.
“A culturally diverse city helps to drive a creative economy, fuel innovation and deliver a flourishing society. My agenda as Lord Mayor will recognise this – championing the synergy between trade, innovation and culture in a thriving local, national and international economy as part of a global UK.”