Full Interview
Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli talks to Mary Martin of the London School of Economics and Political Science and Ketan Patel of Force for Good about why he believes Climate Change is solvable, the important role London plays in the world, its many advantages, his agenda and initiatives for maximising its impact
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How and why London matters drawing on the rich history of the city
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How he see the big issues facing the world
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The initiatives he is leading to make a difference
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Why he believes climate change is solvable
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The problems of making change in democracies
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The difference a year as Lord Mayor makes
Brief Profile:
Michael Mainelli serves as the 695th Lord Mayor (for 2023–2024).
Originally a research scientist in aerospace and computing, he became a senior partner with accountants BDO Binder Hamlyn and later Corporate Development Director for Europe’s largest R&D firm, the Defence Evaluation & Research Agency. During a mergers & acquisitions spell in merchant banking with Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, he co-founded Z/Yen in 1994, the City’s leading think-tank, promoting societal advance through better finance and technology, renowned for its Global Financial, Green Finance, and Smart Centres indices.
Michael chairs Z/Yen Group, FS Club, and the ESOP (employee share ownership) Centre. He is non-executive director of an AIM- listed mining company and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service overseeing UK laboratories and quality standards.
He has served as Alderman for Broad Street since 2013 and as Sheriff of the City of London 2019-2021. Significant past posts have included Almoner of Christ’s Hospital, International Financial Advisor to the Taoiseach, London Waterways Commissioner, Trustee of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and Trustee of Ocean Alliance.
He has strong connections to the Livery having been a Past Master of the World Traders, Craft-Owning Freeman of the Watermen & Lightermen, Honorary Liveryman of multiple Livery Companies as well as Honorary Freeman of the Educators, and member of the City Livery Club.
He was educated at Harvard University and Trinity College Dublin; with a PhD from the London School of Economics.