The former Chief Economist at the Bank of England and member of its Monetary Policy Committee, Andy Haldane, has received the Freedom of the , in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the financial services sector.
Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts since April 2021, Andy Haldane is the founder and president of the charity, Pro Bono Economics, with other senior positions including Chief Economic Advisor at PwC; Vice-Chair of the charity, National Numeracy (a Lord Mayor’s Appeal charity partner); and Visiting Professor at King’s College, London.
Andy is also contributing editor at the Financial Times and a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Academy of Social Sciences.
He served as Permanent Secretary for Levelling Up at the Cabinet Office from September 2021 to March 2022 and in the 2023 Birthday Honours, he was appointed CBE for services to the economy and public policy.
Lord Mayor of the , Professor Michael Mainelli, said:
“After spending over 30 years at the heart of policy- and decision-making in the , Andy Haldane has become known as one of its leading and most respected figures.
“With an undeniable enthusiasm for his work, a keen intellect, and a healthy sense of humour, there is no doubt that the City needs people like Andy, and I was delighted to support his nomination for the Freedom.”
Lord Mayor Elect of the , Alderman Alastair King DL, said:
“Andy Haldane is one of the ’s most staunch supporters: he recognises how it drives the country’s economy and the importance of continuing to attract a highly talented and diverse workforce.
“My colleagues and I were very grateful for his sterling work on the Strategy Steering Group for our Socio-Economic Diversity Taskforce, and it has been our pleasure to recognise his significant contributions – both to the City and the City Corporation.”
Policy Chairman of the Corporation, Chris Hayward, said:
“Andy Haldane is a very worthy recipient of this award, having done so much over the years to promote the UK’s financial services sector and the importance of regional growth in such a vigorous and clear-headed manner.
“I can only add to the chorus of praise from the Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor Elect in thanking Andy for his strong commitment to his work, and to offer my sincere congratulations on receiving the Freedom.”
Speaking after his ceremony at Guildhall, Andy Haldane said:
“After over three decades working in the , I am absolutely thrilled about becoming a Freeman, and to follow in an illustrious line of predecessors.”
One of the ’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also offered by the Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
Recent high-profile recipients include Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, who initiated and led the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccine; former City Minister, Andrew Griffith MP; ‘Hamilton’ actor and musician, Giles Terera; and Roland Butcher, who is recognised as the first black cricketer to play for England.
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