Lord Phillips, President of the Supreme Court, was the speaker at the Worshipful Company of Actuaries' annual lecture at Staple Inn last week.
He explained how the Supreme Court came to be established in place of the former court in the House of Lords. It is the separation of powers between the Legislature (Houses of Parliament), the Executive (Government) and the Judiciary (Judges) which is crucial.
The former Law Lords (Judiciary) also sat in the House of Lords (Legislature), so the separation of powers could have been perceived as being compromised, although those directly involved never felt that this was the case.
Lord Phillips described the hair-raising political process of reaching agreement on this fundamental reform, but finished by assuring us that the outcome was a significant improvement. Apart from greater transparency of accountability, the new Supreme Court building is much more suitable for public access and openness - something highly desirable in the administration of justice.
Sunday, 28 November 2010
The Power of Ten - Thursday 18th November 2010
Each year there are 108 Masters of Livery Companies. At the end of their year in office, they form a Past Masters' Year Group Association. I am vice-chairman of the group that held office during Nick Anstee's year as Lord Mayor.
Although for some of us, our year as Master still has some months to run, the association has been formed, has been named, "The Power of Ten", and held its first function last week to welcome the members and their partners to what we hope will be a lifelong friendship network.
We shall continue our commitment to charitable work by making a small donation from every ticket sold to one of our events, to the charity of the Lord Mayor of the day. Every little helps.
Although for some of us, our year as Master still has some months to run, the association has been formed, has been named, "The Power of Ten", and held its first function last week to welcome the members and their partners to what we hope will be a lifelong friendship network.
We shall continue our commitment to charitable work by making a small donation from every ticket sold to one of our events, to the charity of the Lord Mayor of the day. Every little helps.
Sunday, 21 November 2010
The worst job in the world? Sunday 21st November 2010
Does being a maker of speed cameras qualify as the worst job in the world? This morning, Paul Garratt, partner of Freeman Jo Edwards, took part in a church service at Holy Trinity, Guildford, joined by members of the charity RoadPeace, to take part in their service of remembrance for victims of road traffic accidents.
Interviewed by the Rector, Robert Cotton, Paul explained how deaths on the roads in the UK have halved from 8,000 a year to 4,000 in recent years, and that speed cameras have been part of the reason for this reduction. Robert endorsed the efforts of Paul's company, Tele Traffic UK Ltd, to include motorcyclists in the community of responsible road users with an award-winning new piece of technology which is now being supplied to police forces.
On behalf of his company, Paul presented a donation to RoadPeace.
And why am I reporting this? Because Jo and Paul first met Robert when they visited Holy Trinity Church in June this year as part of a Marketors' event. Nice outcome.
Interviewed by the Rector, Robert Cotton, Paul explained how deaths on the roads in the UK have halved from 8,000 a year to 4,000 in recent years, and that speed cameras have been part of the reason for this reduction. Robert endorsed the efforts of Paul's company, Tele Traffic UK Ltd, to include motorcyclists in the community of responsible road users with an award-winning new piece of technology which is now being supplied to police forces.
On behalf of his company, Paul presented a donation to RoadPeace.
And why am I reporting this? Because Jo and Paul first met Robert when they visited Holy Trinity Church in June this year as part of a Marketors' event. Nice outcome.
Graduation successses and Christmassy Birmingham - Friday 19th November 2010
A great day for
many graduands from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, receiving their Diplomas at a huge ceremony in the Birmingham Symphony Hall.
many graduands from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, receiving their Diplomas at a huge ceremony in the Birmingham Symphony Hall.
I was invited to present two prizes to the top students in the Professional Diploma (Suzanna Barr) and the Professional Post-graduate Diploma (Sarah McDonnell). Many congratulations to them all.
The first picture shows one of the academics, robing up. On the right are Junior Warden (and member of the CIM Senate), Sally Muggeridge, with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, whose robes put us all in the shade.
A dignified ceremony, with good speeches from President (and Past Master) Sir Paul Judge, Chairman (and Liveryman) Chris Lenton, and the Dean of the Senate, Professor Robin Wensley. I was impressed by how business-like all the students looked, dressed as if for an interview - a nice sign of their self-respect.
On the way back I walked through a wonderful Christmas fair in Birmingham's New Street. Rustic German huts selling crafts, sweets, clothes, food and drink from the Frankfurt region. This tower was blasting out the music alongside the frankfurter stalls and the beer drinkers.
Marketing Society Annual Conference - Thursday 18th November 2010
The theme of the day was Leadership (I was glad to see that my former employer, Shell, is still sponsoring the Society's Marketing Leaders Programme). Excellent speakers, linked by leadership coach, Steve Radcliffe, keeping things simple and pulling out the key learnings.
Quotations of the day:
Dennis Turner, HSBC Chief Economist: "The recession, that time when even those who have no intention of paying you stop buying, is over."
John Prescott, quoted by Mark Price, MD of Waitrose: "Leadership is vision, compassion and courage". Mark added "and trust".
Warren Buffett, quoted by Mark Price: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
Goethe (?), quoted by Martha Lane Fox: "Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
Quotations of the day:
Dennis Turner, HSBC Chief Economist: "The recession, that time when even those who have no intention of paying you stop buying, is over."
John Prescott, quoted by Mark Price, MD of Waitrose: "Leadership is vision, compassion and courage". Mark added "and trust".
Warren Buffett, quoted by Mark Price: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
Goethe (?), quoted by Martha Lane Fox: "Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
A tasty secret - Wednesday 17th November 2010
If you've never been involved in organising a City event, you may not be aware that, before finalising the choice of menu, two people go the caterer's location for a "tasting" of the food and wine. For Great Events, the Master and Clerk do this.
On this particular day, our Events Committee Chairmen, Liveryman Diane Morris, and I went to the London Chamber of Commerce to taste the options (vegetarian and ominvorous) for the City Lecture next week. You can tell us afterwards what you think of our choices.
On this particular day, our Events Committee Chairmen, Liveryman Diane Morris, and I went to the London Chamber of Commerce to taste the options (vegetarian and ominvorous) for the City Lecture next week. You can tell us afterwards what you think of our choices.
Helping launch the Bear Necessities - Tuesday 16th November 2010
The Marketors were privileged to be the first visitors to the new Lord Mayor, Alderman Michael Bear, at Mansion House last Tuesday morning. He and the Lady Mayoress and their staff looked amazingly fresh after a marathon weekend (Lord Mayor's Show, Remembrance Sunday) and the previous night's dinner for the outgoing Lord Mayor at Guildhall (guest speakers: the Lord Chancellor, the Prime Minister and the Archbishop of Canterbury).
As you can see we were there to present a cheque, which was for the Lord Mayor's appeal (the Bear Necessities) from the Marketors' Trust. The Trust Chairman, Court Assistant Trevor Brignall, made the presentation, accompanied by our Clerk, Adele Thorpe (also seen signing the brand new visitors' book on the first page) and me.
The money will fund a university education for a student from one of the less well-off boroughs around the City of London. We shall also provide 'our' student with work experience during their summer vacation. We are making a special appeal to members for more funds to pay for a second student - in these times of increasing personal costs for higher education, we feel this is a relevant expression of our social responsibilities.
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