My Experience
My Experience
Experiences that enable me to serve as your Alderman include:
- Extensive experience on Common Council; prior to being elected as Alderman I served as a Common Councillor for eight years, during which time I was the chairman of the Investment Committee responsible for the Corporation's assets (which allows it to operate so effectively) and served on the Policy & Resources Committee (which is the main decision-making body), the Police, Finance and other Committees.
- A career in Financial Services spanning c.30 years; I have long had an understanding that the financial district exists primarily to serve people. I serve on the Boards of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and the Impact Investing Institute and have plenty of experience to draw on to represent the people and businesses in Cheap.
- Working in the City of London; I come into work in the City and serve the Business Council of The CityUK. I have the first-hand experience of the stresses and strains that so many of us are under.
- Affiliation with the Ward of Cheap; I started work just off Cheapside. My Livery Company, the Haberdashers, has its’ roots in Gresham Street going back to 1458, and I am Patron of the Ward of Cheap Club.
- I am a Past Master of the Guild of Investment Managers, and I remain on the Court of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, where I also served as Warden.
- An ongoing commitment to charity; A Better City for All is, with good reason, the slogan of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and is something that I, as an Appeal Board member, seek to promote through its pillars of being inclusive, healthy, skilled and fair; and
- Global Perspective; I am international in my thinking and approach. I was born in Brazil, have lived in South Africa, graduated in European Studies and served in the British Army in Germany and Canada.
In serving you as your Alderman, I am supported by my wife, by Rathbones and by The Haberdashers’ Company. In accordance with the conventions of the City, I serve in a non-party political independent way.
Charity Experience
A Better City for All is, with good reason, the slogan of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Board and is something that I, as an Appeal Board member, seek to promote through its pillars of being inclusive, healthy, skilled and fair.
This year the specific charities being supported are Onside Youth Zones, Place2Be and the Samaritans, National Numeracy and Duke of Edinburgh's.
The numerous churches around the City can often provide a sanctuary in the midst of our busyness and are a reminder of the values and ethics that we strive to uphold in the City. Indeed, the Corporation’s motto is Domine Dirige Nos (Lord guide us). I am delighted to be a St Catherine Friend and Churchwarden of St Lawrence Jewry, which plays a central role in the City's life and Chair of the organising committee for the Annual City Prayer Breakfast.
Currently, I am a trustee at the Samuel Wilson Loan Trust that provides business loans to young people establishing and developing new businesses and the Clergy Support Trust, the UK’s largest and oldest clergy support charity, whose purpose is to promote, sustain and renew the wellbeing of serving and retired Anglican clergy and their families, who so faithfully serve members of the City’s community.
I am also on the Advisor Board of the Centre for Entreprise, Markets and Ethics and a trustee of the Templeton Education and Charity Trust.
I have previously been a trustee of Trust for London and was involved in making £10m of grants a year and visiting some of the projects to help the poor and disadvantaged of London. Before that, I was a trustee of Mercy Ships UK, which runs the world’s largest Non-Governmental hospital ship and celebrated its 20th anniversary with a dinner hosted by Alderman Lord Mountevans at Mansion House.
What people are saying...
“I can think of no one better to represent the Ward of Cheap in the years ahead.”
John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister
“Finding leaders in business – especially in financial services – who see the true merit in building inclusive and diverse cultures is a tough call…it’s not a priority metric ….but it is in today’s globally connected world, let alone the City of London a real indicator of the character of a leader who sees their role as serving the greater goal of opportunity and fairness and justice ….that’s Robert all over …a confident and open hearted man who genuinely embraces inclusion and demonstrates vivid values.”
Lord Dr Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE, Chancellor, Regents University London, Professor of Leadership at the Stephen Covey Leadership Centre and Chair of SOAS Board of Trustees.
“Robert is committed to making a difference in society, demonstrated through various City charity and church commitments over the 25 years that I have known him.”
Suzanne Avery, portfolio Non-Executive Director and Church Commissioner
"Robert is a proven City professional with a previous background of eight years’ service as a Common Councilman and Chairman of the Investment Committee. He is a man of real integrity and ideally qualified to serve as an Alderman."
Richard Sermon MBE, Past Sheriff and Past President of The Ward of Cheap Club.
“Robert has spent 25 years successfully navigating difficult financial markets and is very well equipped to represent the businesses in Cheap in the years ahead.”
Mark Nicholls, former Chairman of Rathbones Group Plc
"Robert served as a Trustee of Trust for London for six years and I was very impressed with Robert’s interest in, and commitment to, addressing the needs of Londoners affected by poverty and inequality. Robert was actively involved in grants assessment visits to applicant organisations, invariably asking searching questions. The Trustees and I were sad to lose Robert’s wisdom and guidance."
Bharat Mehta CBE Chief Executive, former CEO of Trust for London