David Wootton
Encyclopedia
David Wootton is the 684th Lord Mayor of London
, from 2011 to 2012. He is the Alderman
of the Ward
of Aldersgate
.
, before going up to Jesus College, Cambridge
to read Classics
and then Law
. While at Cambridge, he was also able to captain
his college’s First Boat in 1972 when the crew swept the board against all comers – and he still tries to ensure he rows there once a year with his contemporaries.
, the international law firm headquartered in London
with offices in 24 other countries, specialising in corporate transactions and best-practice compliance with law and regulation in corporate governance. This involves dealing with mergers and acquisitions, IPOs and joint ventures across various international markets.
Having a strong interest in the governance of the City of London
, Wootton stood for election to Common Council and was elected as Member for the Ward of Farringdon Within in 2002. In 2005 he was elected Alderman
for the Ward of Langbourn
. He was Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Policy and Resources and the City Lands and Bridge House Estates Committees. In 2009 he was elected Sheriff of the City of London. Wootton has been elected to be Lord Mayor of London
in 2011/2012.
Wootton has made time throughout his career to devote to charitable and community activities in promotion of education and sport. Away from the City Corporation, he is a member of
A Committee member of the City of London Law Society, David is also Governor of several institutions, including:
He has been a member of:
Wootton is also currently Honorary Vice President and serves on the Council of the City Livery Club and is President of the Society of Young Freemen. He is also a member of Leander and the London Rowing Club
s, and the Athenaeum and the City of London Clubs.
His father was born in Smallthorne Stoke on Trent.
He still enjoys going back and visiting some of his old haunts.
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
, from 2011 to 2012. He is the Alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of the Ward
Wards of the City of London
The City of London , in the United Kingdom, is constituted of 25 wards. The City is the historic core of the much wider metropolis of London, with an ancient and sui generis form of local government, which avoided the many reforms enacted to local government elsewhere in the country in the 19th and...
of Aldersgate
Aldersgate
Aldersgate was a gate in the London Wall in the City of London, which has given its name to a ward and Aldersgate Street, a road leading north from the site of the gate, towards Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington.-History:...
.
Early life
Wootton was educated at Bradford Grammar SchoolBradford Grammar School
Bradford Grammar School is a co-educational, independent school in Frizinghall, Bradford, West Yorkshire. Headmaster, Stephen Davidson is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference . The school was founded in 1548 and granted its Charter by King Charles II in 1662...
, before going up to Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College, Cambridge
Jesus College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The College was founded in 1496 on the site of a Benedictine nunnery by John Alcock, then Bishop of Ely...
to read Classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
and then Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
. While at Cambridge, he was also able to captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
his college’s First Boat in 1972 when the crew swept the board against all comers – and he still tries to ensure he rows there once a year with his contemporaries.
Career
In 1979 he became a Partner at Allen & OveryAllen & Overy
Allen & Overy is a global law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom.A member of the UK's Magic Circle of leading law firms, Allen & Overy is widely considered to be one of the world's elite law firms, advising national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and...
, the international law firm headquartered in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
with offices in 24 other countries, specialising in corporate transactions and best-practice compliance with law and regulation in corporate governance. This involves dealing with mergers and acquisitions, IPOs and joint ventures across various international markets.
Having a strong interest in the governance of the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
, Wootton stood for election to Common Council and was elected as Member for the Ward of Farringdon Within in 2002. In 2005 he was elected Alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
for the Ward of Langbourn
Langbourn
Langbourn is one of the 25 ancient wards in the City of London. It reputably is named after a supposed buried stream in the vicinity.It is a small ward; a long thin area, in shape similar to a left pointing arrow...
. He was Deputy Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Policy and Resources and the City Lands and Bridge House Estates Committees. In 2009 he was elected Sheriff of the City of London. Wootton has been elected to be Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
in 2011/2012.
Wootton has made time throughout his career to devote to charitable and community activities in promotion of education and sport. Away from the City Corporation, he is a member of
- the Management Committee and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the King’s Fund
- Chairman of the City of London Branch of the Institute of Directors
- President of the Society of Young Freemen
- the Council of the City Livery Club
- Chairman of the Trustees of the Charles Dickens Museum
- Chairman of the Jesus College Boat Club (Cambridge)Jesus College Boat Club (Cambridge)Jesus College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Jesus College, Cambridge. Over the years, it has been consistently successful, with the 1st Men's VIII never having dropped below 12th place in the May Bumps and 11th position in the Lent Bumps...
Trust and the Misys Charitable Foundation - Music Patron of St Paul’s Cathedral
- a Director of the City of London Festival and the Local Government Association
A Committee member of the City of London Law Society, David is also Governor of several institutions, including:
- the Guildhall School of Music & Drama
- King Edward’s School Witley and the City of London Academy (Southwark)
He has been a member of:
- Almoner of Christ’s Hospital
- the Development Board of The Institute of Cancer Research
- the Council of the National Trust (elected)
- the Worshipful Company of FletchersWorshipful Company of FletchersThe Worshipful Company of Fletchers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, England. Originally, the Bowyers and Fletchers formed one organisation. However, in 1371, the Fletchers petitioned the Lord Mayor of the City of London to divide into their own Company...
(2005/6) - Master of The City of London Solicitors’ Company (2010/11)
- Court Assistant of The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass and the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
- Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and the Worshipful Company of Bowyers
- a Freeman of The Company of Watermen and Lightermen and The Worshipful Company of Woolmen
- and an Honorary Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
Wootton is also currently Honorary Vice President and serves on the Council of the City Livery Club and is President of the Society of Young Freemen. He is also a member of Leander and the London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
s, and the Athenaeum and the City of London Clubs.
Personal life
Wootton is married to Elizabeth (Liz) and has two sons (James and Christopher), two daughters (Alexandra and Sophie) and three grandchildren (Ellie, Lucy and Casper). David and Liz live in Sevenoaks, Kent.His father was born in Smallthorne Stoke on Trent.
He still enjoys going back and visiting some of his old haunts.