The two new Sheriffs of London took office today (28 September)at the Guildhall following their election in July this year.

Alderman Alan Yarrow and Wendy Mead CC will preside at theelection of the Lord Mayor next Monday (3 October), after takingover today from Alderman Fiona Woolf and Richard Sermon.

Alderman Alan Yarrow was elected Alderman for the Ward of Bridgeand Bridge Without in 2007. After starting in the City in 1972 withstockbrokers Grieveson Grant, he became a member of the StockExchange and a partner. The company was subsequently taken over byKleinwort Benson, where he joined the Group Board in 1995 as GlobalHead of Equities. Following a number of takeovers, he left in 2009as Chairman of Dresdner Kleinwort Ltd. In addition, he alsorepresented the bank at the top policy forums in the City asChairman of LIBA, a member of The Takeover-Panel, Vice Chairman ofthe FSA Practitioner Panel and on the Chancellor of the Exchequer"sHigh Level Advisory Group, and the Board of the BBA.

Sheriff Yarrow also has a number of Non-Executive roles:Chairman of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment2009, Chairman of the newly reformed Kleinwort Benson Group 2010,and Director of both Turquoise and Fixnetix 2010. He is also aGovernor of the City of London Freeman"s School and an Almoner ofChrist"s Hospital School.

Wendy Mead CC, who ran a successful catering business, began herservice to the City of London twenty years ago when she commencedher Chairmanship of The Save Bart"s Campaign, which successfullyhalted a Government plan to close a 900-year-old City institution.

As a result, she was made an Honorary Alumna of Bart"s MedicalSchool.

In 1997, she was elected to the Common Council for the Ward ofFarringdon Without. She is also Chairman of both Housing theHomeless and St Bartholomew the Great Heritage Trust; Vice-Chairmanof Bart"s League of Friends; and a member of the City & Guildsof London Institute and Trustee of the City Arts Trust. She hasserved nine years on the City of London"s Policy & ResourcesCommittee and is the immediate Past Chairman of Epping Forestand Commons Committee. She also serves on Barbican Centre,Guildhall School of Music and Drama and City Bridge TrustBoards.

While the office of Sheriff dates back to the 7th century and isof long-standing importance in the government of the City ofLondon, its holders also take an increasing role in supporting theLord Mayor and the City of London in promoting and sustaining theSquare Mile and the wider UK-based financial and related businesssector, for example in meeting senior business and politicalleaders from overseas. Sheriff Yarrow and Sheriff Mead"s dutiesinclude carrying out official and ceremonial duties, attending thesessions at the Central Criminal Court in the Old Bailey andpresenting petitions from the City to Parliament at the Bar of theHouse of Commons. One of the conditions to be a candidate for LordMayor is to have served as Sheriff.