The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan and the City of London invite you to a breakfast with The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, the 695th Lord Mayor of the City of London, and Alderwoman and Sheriff, Dame Susan Langley DBE.

Back in December 2017, the City of London and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation within the financial sector. This collaboration was a pivotal step in the TMG’s endeavour to position Tokyo as a “Global Financial City,” representing a significant milestone as it marked the first partnership of its kind for the TMG in the realm of finance. The MoU creates a platform to enhance financial services trade between London and Tokyo and delineates areas of mutual interest, including financial events, educational programs in finance, and initiatives focusing on green finance.

Connect to Prosper is this year’s Mayoral programme, to demonstrate the links between business and higher education and recognise the core role that the higher education sector plays in making the UK an attractive business destination. The programme aims to promote the City’s concentration of knowledge connections, and the importance of access to talented people, financing and markets for knowledge-based businesses to thrive. 

We are delighted to welcome the Lord Mayor and Aldermanic Sheriff of the City of London on their trip to Tokyo. On the morning of May 31, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli and Dame Susan Langley will advise BCCJ members and guests on the most recent updates from the City and also discuss the role of the UK in global trading relations and the wider UK financial services industry as the gateway to global capital markets. Together, they will delve into current trends shaping the UK and Japan, the evolving role of both cities in global trading dynamics, and reflect on developments since the signing of the MoU six and a half years ago.

Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli FCCA FCSI(Hon) FBCS  | Lord Mayor of the City of London 2023-24

Michael Mainelli was elected as Lord Mayor of the City of London on 29 September 2023 and took office on 10 November 2023. He previously served Sheriff of the City of London from 2019-2021, being granted an

extraordinary second year in that office, the first time since 1228, in order to provide continuity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Educated at Harvard University and Trinity College Dublin, Michael gained his PhD at London School of Economics where he was also a Visiting Professor.

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Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli FCCA FCSI(Hon) FBCS  | Lord Mayor of the City of London 2023-24

Michael Mainelli was elected as Lord Mayor of the City of London on 29 September 2023 and took office on 10 November 2023. He previously served Sheriff of the City of London from 2019-2021, being granted an

extraordinary second year in that office, the first time since 1228, in order to provide continuity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Educated at Harvard University and Trinity College Dublin, Michael gained his PhD at London School of Economics where he was also a Visiting Professor.

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Alderwoman and Sheriff Dame Susan Langley DBE

Susan Langley is Chair of Gallagher UK, and Senior Independent Director UKAR (Northern Rock Asset Management and Bradford and Bingley). Previously she was the Lead Non-Executive Director for the Home Office, a Trustee for Macmillan Cancer, CEO Financial & Professional Services at the Department for International Trade (DIT), Executive Director North America and Market Development for Lloyd’s of London, Director of Lloyd’s Asia and Chairman of Lloyd’s Japan. Prior to this, Susan held various Insurance Board positions. She joined the Insurance Market from PriceWaterhouseCoopers where she was a Principal Consultant working with a range of FTSE 100 companies.

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Alderwoman and Sheriff Dame Susan Langley DBE

Susan Langley is Chair of Gallagher UK, and Senior Independent Director UKAR (Northern Rock Asset Management and Bradford and Bingley). Previously she was the Lead Non-Executive Director for the Home Office, a Trustee for Macmillan Cancer, CEO Financial & Professional Services at the Department for International Trade (DIT), Executive Director North America and Market Development for Lloyd’s of London, Director of Lloyd’s Asia and Chairman of Lloyd’s Japan. Prior to this, Susan held various Insurance Board positions. She joined the Insurance Market from PriceWaterhouseCoopers where she was a Principal Consultant working with a range of FTSE 100 companies.

Read full bio