Roger Gifford

Alderman Roger Gifford
Personal details
Born	Michael Roger Gifford (1955-08-03) 3 August 1955
Nationality	British
Spouse	Clare Taylor
Residence	London
Alma mater	Trinity College, Oxford
Occupation	Merchant banker

Michael Roger Gifford (born 3 August 1955) is a London banker and has been elected as the 685th Lord Mayor of London (2012-13), to serve as the global ambassador for UK-based financial and business services, from 9 November 2012. He has been head of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) in the United Kingdom since 2000.

Gifford was elected Alderman for the City of London Ward of Cordwainer in 2004 and is a member of the City of London Corporation Policy and Resources Committee. He served as Sheriff of the City of London from 2008 to 2009.

In October 2012, he became Lord Mayor Elect of London. Speaking after his election, Lord Mayor-elect Gifford said: "Next month will mark exactly 30 years since I joined SEB and 35 years since I first started working in the City. During this time, London's Square Mile has become a truly global centre - however, the focus of my year in office will be to underline that service is, and must be, at the heart of the financial services industry of the UK. In other words that the City must serve society - and be seen to do so."

Gifford's Lord Mayoral charitable appeal, under the banner The City in Society, will focus on the City as a global centre for philanthropy and the arts, and reflect on the City of London's major contribution to society it serves in the 21st century.

Early life

Gifford was born at St Andrews, Scotland to Douglas Gifford (of West Country descent). He was educated at Sedbergh School before going to Trinity College, Oxford, graduating as MA.

Career

Gifford started his career in finance with SG Warburg (1978-82), working in international banking and capital markets. In 1982 he left to join a new merchant bank, Skandinaviska Enskilda Bank Corp and, from 1994 to 1999, he headed the bank’s operations in Japan. Since 2000 he has been SEB's UK country manager.

Gifford is a former Chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce (UK) and of the Association of Foreign Banks (UK). He is a Trustee of St Paul’s Cathedral Foundation, St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School Foundation and King Edward’s School Witley; chair of the English Chamber Orchestra and the Tenebrae Choir among other arts involvements. He is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Companies of Musicians, Cordwainers and Security Professionals. He served as Master of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (2010-11) and is sponsoring Alderman for the Guild of Public Relations Practitioners.

Honours

• 2012: Knight, Most Venerable Order of St John (KStJ)
• 2007: Commander, Order of the Polar Star (Sweden)

External links

• Profile on the Worshipful Company of Musicians website
• Listing on Debrett's People of Today website