The newly appointed Lord Mayor of London, Alastair King, attended a lunch hosted by the Baltic Exchange at Wax Chandlers’ Hall on his second working day in office. Every year, the Baltic hosts the newly appointed Lord Mayor as one of their first formal engagements, with Council members and other senior industry representatives in attendance. The lunch is a testament to the high regard the City of London holds for the Baltic Exchange and the wider shipping industry in London.

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Alastair shared his priorities for his year in office, emphasising the crucial role of the maritime sector in the City’s economy. He expressed a strong commitment to collaboration, inviting feedback from the maritime community to address both challenges and opportunities in the sector over the coming year. Alastair also discussed how the Corporation can work with the industry to ensure London remains the leading provider of professional services to the global shipping industry.

With an extensive career in law and financial services, Alastair spoke passionately about maintaining the City’s position as a global hub for maritime services. His entrepreneurial background includes founding a successful asset management firm and serving on the boards of several City-based financial companies, four of which he chairs. Alastair’s experience in early-stage venture capital and global fixed income brings a unique perspective to his role as Lord Mayor.

In his civic career, Alastair has served as an elected representative for the Ward of Queenhithe since 1999, was elected as Sheriff of London in 2022-23, and has a longstanding involvement in the Livery movement. He also chairs the British Liver Trust and is a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London.

Lord Mountevans highlighted the importance of the City’s maritime cluster and thanked the Lord Mayor for his continued support of the sector. The lunch at the Baltic Exchange provided an excellent opportunity for maritime leaders to engage directly with the new Lord Mayor and discuss ways to strengthen the sector’s contribution to the wider economy.

Alastair King’s appointment as Lord Mayor marks the beginning of a year in which he will promote the City’s role in global finance, while also focusing on its rich maritime heritage and fostering greater collaboration across industries.