Financial Services Group
The Financial Services Group of Livery Companies (FSG) was formed just over two years ago by eleven modern Livery Companies (including the Management Consultants) with the following objectives, to be:
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a network for access to expertise, experience and issues to provide briefings for the Lord Mayor for outbound and inbound visits
a source of education in financial affairs and issues for potential Lord Mayors and Sheriffs from all Livery Companies
a source of encouragement for all Livery Companies to seek Liverymen with the potential to be Lord Mayor and other suitable candidates to join the Livery
a resource for the Lord Mayor’s annual theme and general promotion of “the City” brand of UK financial and other business services
a provider of the views of the Financial Services sector to the Lord Mayor
This group is one of the very few inter-Livery organisations in existence and is becoming an increasingly influential body in the City where the Company’s participation is noted and valued. Past Master Hugh Morris is the Company’s representative for a three-year period to provide continuity of involvement.
Each year, the FSG publishes a booklet demonstrating how its Companies can provide expertise and advice to the Lord Mayor connected with his theme (this year, Lord Mayor Ian Luder’s theme is financial literacy for people in the UK). It also works closely with Mansion House to identify how the FSG Companies can provide briefings and other assistance to the Lord Mayor’s outbound and inbound visits.
In the summer, the probable incoming Lord Mayor is invited to join an FSG meeting to be introduced to the Group and to explain his theme for the coming year. In 2008, it was the Management Consultants turn to host this meeting, which was chaired by Master William Barnard and held at Xchanging’s offices in Leadenhall Street. The other ten FSG Livery Companies were all represented and the briefing from Alderman and Sheriff Ian Luder was most informative. He spoke on how and why he was keen to pursue the theme of financial literacy.
Since then each Company has drafted its entry for the 2008/09 booklet which will be published and formally presented to the Lord Mayor early in 2009.
Hugh Morris