On Friday 4th October, the Founder's Day Dinner had the pleasure to welcome the Lord Mayor as our guest of honour.  He was accompanied by the Lady Mayoress and the two City Sheriffs.

Speakers

The dinner was of considerable significance as it came towards the end of Michael Mainelli’s tenure, during which he has led the appeal for additional scholarships for Christ’s Hospital.  As an ex-Almoner of the school he has been and remains very close to our foundation.

Responding to the Lord Mayor was the former Treasurer of Christ’s Hospital, Christopher Steane. However, Christopher spoke on behalf of the Benevolent Society of Blues whose 200th anniversary this year was. Without question, in other years, this august body would have been the focus of the evening but, in the circumstances, they have generously given way.  

Christ’s Hospital has been transforming lives ever since.  So, tonight, we are delighted to welcome Christ’s Hospital back home to the City of London.  Thinking back to my university days, I remember one of my professors quoting Abe Lincoln:

 “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”  

After consideration, one student asked: 

“What does it mean to remove all doubt?”

We would like to make a special mention of headteacher Simon Reid, who will be retiring before the next Founder’s Day – thank you for all you have done for the School, over what will be 8 years as Head - we all wish you the very best for the years to come and hope to see you back in the City for future events!

We would also like to thank Treasurer Christopher Steane, who is retiring, and welcome new Treasurer Miriam McKay.

Thank you to everyone here who does so much for Christ’s Hospital. 

To quote a famous Old Blue, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Your enthusiasm and love for the school is evident.

There are many ways in which Christ’s Hospital has given back to the City over the years – including giving us at least four Lord Mayors, the most recent of whom was Sir Richard Nichols who was Lord Mayor for 1997 to 1998.  Among other achievements, he founded the Mansion House Scholarship Scheme, supporting the education of the next generation of finance and professional leaders from around the world thus completing the circle of education which keeps our City moving forward.

Education has always been at the heart of our City.  Our livery companies have long been centres of teaching and training for the next generation of skilled workers - which is how they kept their ancient crafts and trades alive.  Today, the City’s 111 Livery Companies support a total of 395 schools, academies, colleges and other education establishments.  The City Corporation itself has invested in education since the time of the Renaissance, when John Carpenter, a 14th-century Town Clerk of London, left behind a fund for the education of poor children in the City.  Today, the City of London Family of Schools includes ten sponsored academies, one maintained primary and three independent schools.

But it is not simply the provision of education in the City which is significant, but the progress of education throughout our history.  A movement called ‘New Learning’ started about 250 yards from here, at Gresham College in the late 15th century.  New Learning was heretical, subversive, and radical.  New Learning’s English adherents included John Colet of St Paul’s School, Sir Thomas More, and Francis Bacon, who even married a City of London Alderman’s daughter.  Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam, “Prince of the Humanists”, lodged in the finest ward in the City of London, Broad Street, famously leaving in 1513 without settling his wine bill because of poor-quality wine.  I’m happy to say the wine on offer in my ward has improved!

Sir Thomas Gresham, arguably the richest commoner in Europe, decided in his Will of 1575 – when Christ’s Hospital was a young institution - to donate the vast bulk of his monies to Gresham College to further the New Learning and humanism.  It is as if Bill Gates or Warren Buffet bequeathed their monies to String Theory or time travel research.  Humanism led to the Scientific Method.  The Royal Society was a child of the City, founded at Gresham College. 

Today, over 40 learned societies, 70 higher education institutions, and 130 research institutes surround the City of London.  Together they make the City of London the world’s most successful concentration of knowledge network a centre for science and technology as well as commerce. Which underpins our position as the world’s leading financial centre – the place where the world comes to find and to finance the solutions to global challenges.

This led to the theme of this mayoralty:

Connect to Prosper – celebrating the many knowledge miles of our Square Mile, the world’s coffee house.  We are reviving the coffee house tradition on which London was built through in-person networking sessions - “Coffee Colloquies” - where thought-leaders can come together to discuss the big issues of the day along with the Knowledge Mile Lecture series, and a range of public events and experiments.

We have also launched six initiatives, all based on international standards and all involving knowledge networks:

The Space Protection Initiative, using space debris removal insurance bonds to help keep space clutter-free.

The Constructing Science Initiative, for life science laboratories.

The Green Finance Initiative, reinforcing carbon markets. 

GALENOS, accelerating global mental health research. 

The Smart Economy Networks Initiative, using international X-Road standards. 

The Ethical AI Initiative – with an Ethical AI course based on ISO 42001, taken by 6000 people from 60 countries and 500 organisations; 

the Walbrook AI Accord signed in Brussels in May by 38 countries; 

and the Coffee House Consensus to coordinate ISO 42001 being used by investors, investees and regulators.

All these initiatives have in common the primacy of international standards, and all reflect London’s position as a centre for science and technology.

Royal Mathematical School

We are grateful to Christ’s Hospital for the school’s enthusiastic support for Connect to Prosper.  To mark the 350th anniversary of the Royal Mathematical School, we launched the Lord Mayor's RMS Scholarship programme - Scholarships which will run in perpetuity to enable young people from less advantaged backgrounds to attend Christ's Hospital.  £586,000 has been very generously donated by Old Blues, Livery companies, and other supporters.  The first two scholars are in place at the School.  We are also working in partnership with Trinity House, the Mathematical Association and a major City financial company for more scholarships.  I have just returned from a visit to Estonia and Latvia, where a conversation with an Old Blue is being taken forward for a Royal Mathematical School Scholarship and a wider programme for entrepreneurship at Christ’s Hospital.  I would like to thank all donors for their generous support, and if you feel you can support us in any way and help more young people to benefit from the extraordinary education they will receive at Christ's Hospital, please get in touch.

To quote Samuel Taylor Coleridge again, 

“Within today, tomorrow is already walking.”

And finally, after this wonderful dinner, I couldn’t help but draw a contrast with my old school cafeteria.  There was a note in front of a pile of apples, "Only take one. God is watching."  Further down the line was a pile of cookies.  Someone attached another note: "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

Thank you.

We at CH thank you for your support as an Almoner over the years: for adopting the Royal Mathematical School: and for your leadership of the City in this year of office.  

We have today four anniversaries to celebrate. I know that the rules of rhetoric would limit me to three – but as a mathematician, I do know that there are other numbers.  

You get less good at Mathematics as you get older, never as strong as in your early twenties. Your interests broaden. Two aged mathematicians were chatting.  One says did you know that people only use one third of their brain for their day to-day activity. How fascinating says the other. I wonder how they use the other half? 

The first anniversary is 350 years of the Royal Mathematical School.  Founded when naval domination in the North Sea was contested with the Dutch – with the Dutch all too frequently winning. The aim was to train navigators for the Navy.  In 1995 I was a Director of Barings when a rogue trader made it insolvent. The business was bought by a Dutch bank. Being my normal tactful self, I felt I should inform my new boss that I was a mathematician educated in a school founded for the express purpose of creating superiority over the Dutch. He smiled - and sent me to the Rijksmuseum.  This was in temporary accommodation with only the most treasured items on display. And the very first item you saw was the stern decoration of the English warship Royal Charles, seized in 1667 in the raid on the Chatham Dockyard. So, 17th century rivalries still resonate today. 

The second anniversary is 200 years of the Benevolent Society of Blues.  Today we honour the founders of the BSB and those who have served the society since 1824.  It was started on the initiative of the Amicable Society of Blues – and our Chief Steward is the Secretary of the Amicables - who maintain close links.  200 years ago the founders established a society with a mission to alleviate hardship and distress within the Christ's Hospital and Old Blue communities.  When preparing this speech the irritating Apple software informed me that Benevolent was a complicated word and if I wished to be understood l should simplify it.  And indeed BSB now refers to Blues supporting Blues.  

In Regency times, society was much poorer, with little support for those in distress. Two hundred years later, there are many more avenues of support, but we still have hardship.  The mission of the BSB is unchanged: but its activity has changed to meet the needs of today.  It remains – and this is important – independent of the Foundation and School.  The BSB supports CH students and Old Blues and their dependents at all stages of life, whether they are pursuing further education, navigating mid-life challenges, or coping with retirement. 

In recent years, the BSB has increasingly supported children at the school and younger Old Blues: both financial and moral support to students facing unforeseen challenges or significant changes in family circumstances. When Grecians leave CH there is often a support gap before and at university. The BSB can assist.  For students at the school, the BSB now supports the Additional Costs Fund, which levels the playing field for the more financially disadvantaged. Last year the BSB provided matched funding in support of CH Giving Day, catalysing increased fund raising. 

Modernity has brought change. The BSB works alongside other agencies when necessary. Online platforms have simplified the application process. (And technology offers a QR code so you can visit the website) I encourage everyone, particularly those with experience in accounting, social services, or mentoring, to consider giving time to the BSB – even limited hours can help.  The BSB also asks for your help in raising awareness among potential beneficiaries.   And may I remind you that supporting the BSB financially is a great way of responding to the charge.  

Today let us celebrate all those over the years who have given their time and expertise to serve on the Board and the Committees of the BSB. I cannot mention everyone: but thank you to Guy Wilkes, the Chair of the Board: to Martin Crick, the vice chair; and to Jenny Williams, Steve Treharne, James Bogue and to Julie Wilson: to Kathleen Duncan and Diana Garnham and all others who have supported the charity*(see afternote) . In particular may I pay a special tribute to Perry Kitchen and Robin Clarke for their dedication over the years in ensuring the financial security of the BSB.  

A number of those who have served on the Board or on committees are here this  evening. I invite you to stand up and for those present to express appreciation.  Thank you. So, what are the third and fourth anniversaries?  

Well, today is St Matthew’s Day. When CH was still in Newgate Street, it was the day each year that the City asked the Treasurer to account for the management of the Foundation.  This year, it coincides with the end of my term of office: after six years that have passed quickly, I have handed over the office to Miriam McKay.  When I took up the role, I received many messages of support. There was some suggestion that this task is thankless. I have not for a moment – or at least not for very many moments – felt that. The time has not been without incident – the pandemic posed the challenge of running a boarding school when the students were not allowed to board – but it has not felt a burden. I shall miss the engagement with school and pupils.  I wish my successor, all those who serve on Council, and the Officers of CH every  strength in meeting todays challenges – as I am sure you all do.  

And so to the fourth anniversary, which is of course the birthday of our Founder Edward VI.  A big thank you to the organisers of this dinner: John Williams and Mustafa Regec-Noor, and to all the stewards. Your hard work allows us to enjoy this celebration. Thank you.  

This anniversary allows us to reflect on our purpose.  Independent boarding schools are a jewel in the UK’s cultural crown, although it is not fashionable to say so. Their dedication to the highest standards of education - of both character and learning, both in quality and in breadth, offers those who attend many opportunities. Students experience the challenges of living in a close-knit community, with the opportunity fully to explore their own capabilities, not least for leadership.  

Christ’s Hospital extends that opportunity to those whose families cannot afford full fees. The mix of student backgrounds is unique. We offer society at large a model to address social mobility.  The mission of the School remains as relevant as ever.  My Lord Mayor, you have made a huge contribution in recognising the value and continuing ambition of Christ’s Hospital.  On our Founders Day, let all supporters of CH renew their determination to its continuance.  For Christ’s Hospital has continued through the centuries because of traditions of charitable support.   And in the Benevolent Society of Blues we see a fine example of this charitable impulse.  

Let me conclude by inviting all of you to rise and to join me in a toast to the BSB.  

*Afternote: the speaker should have mentioned Robert Muir by name and apologises for his mistake both to Robert and to any others who were not mentioned and should have been.