Roger Gifford
Alderman Sir Roger Gifford | |
|---|---|
 Gifford at Chatham House in 2013 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Roger Gifford 3 August 1955 |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Jane Lunzer (1983-2004); Clare Taylor, now Lady Gifford |
| Children | Olivia (1985) Fergus (1986) Fred (1988) Augusta (1989-1992) Hector (1994) |
| Residence | London |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Merchant banker |
Sir Roger Gifford (born 3 August 1955) is a London banker and was the 685th Lord Mayor of London (2012-13). He has been head of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) in the United Kingdom since 2000 and is also a patron of the financial and enterprise education charity MyBnk.[1]
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 was elected Lord Mayor of London and took office on 9 November.[2] Speaking after his election, 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."[3]
Gifford's Lord Mayoral charitable appeal, under the banner "The City in Society", was focused on the City of London as a global centre for philanthropy and the arts.
Early life
Gifford was born at St Andrews, Scotland to Douglas Gifford (of Argentinian and Lowland Scots descent). He was educated at Sedbergh School[4] before going up 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, Enskilda Securities, Skandinaviska Enskilda Bank and, from 1994 to 2000, 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. In 2013, as Chancellor ex officio, he received an Hon DSc from City University.
Gifford was knighted in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to international business, culture, and the City of London.[5]
Honours
2013: Knight Bachelor[6]
2012: Knight of the Most Venerable Order of St John (KJStJ)
2007: Commander of the Order of the Polar Star (Sweden)
2011: Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland
2012: Member 5th Class of the Order of Kuwait.
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References
- ^ www.mybnk.org
- ^ "City banker elected London Lord Mayor". Financial Times.
- ^ www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
- ^ www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk
- ^ "No. 60728". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 31 December 2013. - ^ New Year Honours 2014: Prime Minister's List
External links
- 1955 births
- Living people
- People from St Andrews
- British people of Argentine descent
- People educated at Sedbergh School
- Alumni of Trinity College, Oxford
- Councilmen and Aldermen of the City of London
- Sheriffs of the City of London
- Scottish bankers
- Lord Mayors of London
- Commanders of the Order of the Polar Star
- Recipients of the Order of Kuwait
- Knights of Justice of the Order of St John
- Knights Bachelor