70. Connect to Prosper Launch Event, Mansion House, 16 November 2023


The Lord Mayor Alderman Michael Mainelli launched his theme of Connect to Prosper in the Mansion House to an audience from the Livery, City institutions and organisations and representatives of the City Corporation.  He first introduced the role of the Lord Mayor before telling us a little about himself, including that he is the first USA-born Lord Mayor.

 He observed that over 40 learned societies, 70 higher education institutions and 130 research institutes exist in and around the City of London. It is a dynamic hub for innovation.  The Square Mile comprises many “knowledge miles” with expertise in art, media, culture, engineering, research, accounting, law, banking, shipping, insurance, and investment management.

Connect to Prosper will bring together thought leaders from the scientific, academic and business worlds to demonstrate the City’s strengths in solving global challenges. The City of London’s Square Mile is the world’s coffeehouse where people bring their dreams to get them realised.

The Coffee Colloquies bring together varied voices from around the world to talk about how their work supports the achievement of one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals or another pressing global issue. They will be held in person at the Mansion House on a Tuesday 09.15-11.15 and be delivered in partnership with City Institutions. They will have ten speakers at four minutes each, followed by networking and problem solving. Through a fast-paced transfer of knowledge, with a focus on building connections, Coffee Colloquies will invigorate our Knowledge Miles in the World’s Coffee House.


We then had the first Colloquy with an amazing selection of speakers:

·         Dame Julie Maxton DBE, Executive Director, Royal Society

·         Kerstin Mathias, Policy and innovation Director, Innovation and Growth, City of London Corporation

·         Lea Miligan, Chief Executive, MQ Mental Health

·         Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein CBE, President, City, University of London

·         Paul Double, City of London Corporation

·         Rob Wirszycz, Deputy Master, Worshipful Company of Information Technologists

·         Manuela Musanga, Christ’s Hospital School

·         Professor Tim Connell, Chairman, Gresham Society

·         Paul Singh, Common Councillor, City of London Corporation

·         Leon Lobo, Head of the National Timing Centre, National Physical Laboratory

·         Tracy Vegro OBE, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment

It reinforced the strength of the City in solving global challenges.   It also demonstrated that even the brightest minds and most accomplished speakers had a challenge to get their message over in less than 4 minutes.

The Winners were:

Julie Maxton who answered my question on dealing with the science sceptics and advocates of “do not trust the expert” who emphasised the value of clear robust science.

Manuela Musanga who told us what he wanted to be taught more on life skills at school.

The losers were those who overran and could not get their message over in a clear simple way.

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