Alderman David Wootton was today elected as the 684th Lord Mayorof the City of London, to serve from Friday 11 November (LordMayor"s Show and fireworks Saturday 12 November).

Alderman Wootton, who served as Sheriff of the City 2009-2010,was educated at Bradford Grammar School, and at Jesus College,Cambridge, reading Classics and Law. He became a partner atAllen & Overy in 1979, specialising in corporate transactionsand best-practice compliance with law and regulation in corporategovernance. This involved dealing with mergers andacquisitions, IPOs and joint ventures across internationalmarkets.He was elected as Alderman for the Ward of Langbourn in 2005.

Alderman Wootton has been President of the City of London LawSociety and is Chairman of the City of London Branch of theInstitute of Directors and an Honorary Bencher of Grays Inn. He isalso a governor of several institutions, including the GuildhallSchool of Music & Drama, King Edward's School Witley, and theCity of London Academy Southwark. He is also a Trustee and Chairmanof the Audit Committee of the King's Fund, Chairman of the Trusteesof the Charles Dickens Museum and music patron of St Paul'sCathedral. He is married to Mrs Elizabeth Wootton and they havefour children.

Speaking after his election, Lord Mayor Elect Wootton said:"The theme for my year in office is ensuring that the City andits institutions are Fit for the Future. The Square Mile ispart of the UK domestic community and we need to show that itis. It is easy to regard the City as solely about financialservices and only looking outside the UK but this is far from thecase. In addition to creating huge economic value bothdomestically and across Europe, it makes a major contribution to awide range of activities from education, opportunities, trainingand skills to charity work.""Having been raised in Yorkshire, I know that the City does careabout manufacturing and other industries across the rest of thecountry. We need to communicate this better and 'join thedots" between domestic and international issues, and between theCity of London and the wider UK economy.""A balance needs to be struck between securing financialstability and economic growth. The City"s standing as aworld-leading financial hub is a major asset to both the UK andEurope and it is something we must work to maintain and enhance,particularly in light of the uncertainty afflicting the globaleconomy at present." Alderman Wootton is a keen supporter of the Livery movement, and isa Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers and of theWorshipful Company of Solicitors, a Court Assistant of theInformation Technologists and the Glaziers, a Liveryman of theClockmakers, the Bowyers and the Woolmen, an Honorary Liveryman ofthe Security Professionals, and a Freeman of the Watermen andLightermen. He is a Past Chairman of the Langbourn Ward Club,Honorary Vice President of the City Livery Club, serves on theCourt of the Guild of Freemen and the Council of the Royal Societyof St George (City of London Branch) and is a member of the UnitedWards Club. He is President of the Society of YoungFreemen.Typically a Lord Mayor will spend three months a year leadingCity business delegations overseas " and also meeting leadingoverseas politicians and business leaders visiting London"sfinancial community. Lord Mayor Elect Wootton"s charitable appealwill be 'Fit for the Future", which aims to benefit ordinary peoplewho are ill or suffer injury and need top-class and immediatemedical attention " or who need open spaces and open-air sportingfacilities to take more exercise and enjoy more healthy lives. Thefive charities involved are: Barts and The London Charity, Fieldsin Trust, Futures for Kids, London Youth Rowing and The RowingFoundation.

The Lord Mayor Elect, as he is known after today"s election,does not take office until the Silent Ceremony, which is held inGreat Hall, Guildhall on Friday 11 November at 3pm, the daypreceding the Lord Mayor's Show (Saturday 12 November). The LordMayor's Banquet, at which the Prime Minister speaks, follows onMonday 14 November at Guildhall.