election Archives | GWEN RHYS

On 25 June 2018, I made the following speech to approximatey 1500 Liverymen gathered in Common Hall at Guildhall in the heart of the City of London. Unfortunately I wasn’t successful in winning the Election but I certainly pledge to continue my work in championing diversity and inclusion within and beyond the City.

Election Speech

Fellow Liverymen

In 3 years’ time, the Chamberlain’s Court will grant the first Freedoms of the City to those born this century and it will be these young people, together with the Millennials, who are the future of the Livery and the City.

Their perception of the kind of world they want is different from ours. We’re so “last century”.

They are more ethnically and culturally diverse than previous generations.

They don’t just tolerate difference, they seek it out. They have different values – and will expect and demand greater transparency and equality.

They communicate differently and they’ll be working differently –more flexibly and for longer.
And they’re likely to be less economically successful than their parents.

Unlike us Baby Boomers, they have never had it so bad.

More than ever young people need opportunities to meet like-minded individuals, to develop mentoring relationships and to find ways to make their contribution to wider society.

Livery Companies with their roots in ensuring quality, setting standards, giving skills to the next generation and, through charitable giving, caring for those who had fallen on difficult times – whilst bringing people together in fellowship – can provide just these opportunities.

As Liverymen let us make sure that our Companies continue to be relevant – let our heritage inspire their future.

As for the business City, the uncertainties of Brexit continue to be a major concern, but one of the biggest, on-going challenges is attracting and retaining talent.

Diversity and Inclusion aren’t just buzz words. It’s not political correctness gone mad, it’s about future proofing.

Successful businesses reflect the society in which we live.

But if those from a range of social and cultural backgrounds and abilities are to reach their full potential, businesses need to eradicate unconscious bias and other barriers to both entry and progression

In these respects, I’m delighted that the Corporation recently agreed to set up a Diversity Working Group to progress action.

Like a Mars Bar – the City’s for work, rest and play – and this century we’ve seen the City become a 24-7 location.

The development of the Culture Mile is just one example of how the Corporation is ensuring the City flourishes as a vibrant cultural centre.

So why vote for me?

I’m Different – and I can help make a difference.
Like Henry Ford who gave us cars rather than faster horses, I’m a Disruptor – I question the status quo. But as the Royal Wedding showed, you can uphold tradition, mingle old with new and bring something fresh and relevant to all.
I believe in Diversity and Inclusion – I’ve spent the last 30 years actively championing equality of opportunity and since founding Women in the City in 2003 have put my energy into promoting, recognising and rewarding female talent.

Yes, I, too, might be “last century” but I’m also a Sheriff for the 21st Century.

If you want someone who understands the Livery as well as the demands of today’s business and society and can talk knowledgeably about them to a wide audience then give me your vote.

And, finally, as a Welsh woman, a Cymraes, I‘ll bring some hwyl to the City.

Hwyl is about bringing your heart, your soul and your spirit to your endeavours.

And I pledge to bring my whole self – my energy, my passion, my values and my connections to the service of the Lord Mayor, to you, your Livery Companies and to the people who live and work in this great City, a place that I’m proud to call home.

Fellow Liverymen, the future is bright, the future is orange please vote #GwenForSheriff.

END

When I first announced that I was a candidate for non-Aldermanic Sheriff of the City of London in September 2017 the election day was a full nine months away and I drew a parallel to a baby’s gestation period saying that although I’d never been pregnant I guessed I was still at the “I can’t quite believe it” stage.

Now the election is one day away, I find myself once more at the “I can’t quite believe it” stage having experienced many emotions along the way.

There are around 23,000 Liverymen who belong to the 100-plus Livery Companies of the City of London. Those who have been a Liveryman since before May 2017 are all entitled to vote. There is no postal or proxy voting. They have to vote in person (although only 1500 of them can be accommodated in the Guildhall), and voting is by a show of hands.

This year’s election is contested and there are 4 candidates for 2 positions. One candidate is an Alderman and it is traditional that the Alderman “automatically” becomes the Aldermanic Sheriff, although the candidate is still part of the election process.

I am one of three candidates competing for the non-Aldermanic Sheriff role. The last time there was a contested election was 2011 so there has been much interest.

In order to make counting the votes (hands held in the air) easier, all candidates have been allocated an election “colour”. I was delighted to be given “orange” and immediately adopted the mobile phone slogan “the future’s bright, the future’s orange”.

Suddenly, orange was everywhere. As fashionistas might say, orange does indeed seem to be the “new black”. I had no difficulty in finding a variety of images to support my very active twitter campaign in which I linked #orange #future #bright with #diversity and #inclusion. I even created a Campaign Pin (small orange silk rose) which I encouraged my supporters to wear.

I’ve been lucky to get some good press coverage in City Matters as the issue of diversity and inclusion suddenly became a big topic in the City when the candidates for Alderman in one of the up-coming Ward Elections were branded “pale, stale, male”.

At 12noon tomorrow the proceedings will began with much pomp and circumstance with candidates each giving a 4 minute presentation before Liverymen are invited to vote.

Because voting is by show of hands, there’s always the possibility of inaccurate counting, so unless there are clear winners, a Poll (standard ballot paper) will be called for Monday 9 July and Liverymen will be invited to cast their vote, again in person, between 8am and 6pm.

I’ll be posting a copy of my presentation and giving the election result on Tuesday.

Wish me luck – and if any Liverymen are reading this, please vote #GwenForSheriff and do please pop in to my campaign HQ, The Bottlescrue, Foster Lane (nearest tube St Paul’s) which will be open from 9.30am to meet other supporters, have a cuppa coffee and collect your Campaign Pin.

You do not need a special pass to gain entry to Guildhall, but best to bring Photo ID with you. You will need to be seated by 11.45am.

Anyone can stand in Guildhall Yard and watch the Lord Mayor and other officials arrive – it will be busy from 10am onwards.

View the video of the 2011 Election (password protected: Election (cap E)).