Today, Deputy Keith Bottomley and Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney have taken office as the next Sheriffs of the City of London, following a ceremony at Guildhall this afternoon. This follows their formal Common Hall election earlier this year.
The Sheriffs’ modern-day duties include supporting the Lord Mayor in their civic duties and serving – both, at home and abroad – as ambassadors for the UK-based financial and professional services industry, by promoting the UK as a place in which to do business. The Sheriffs also play a key role in supporting His Majesty’s Judges at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) by promoting the importance of the English rule of law to businesses, schools, diplomats, charities, the City Livery, and leading arts figures.
The Central Criminal Court, where the Sheriffs live and work during their year in office, is recognised as the most famous criminal court in the world, and is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation.
The office of Sheriff of the City of London, a pre-requisite to becoming Lord Mayor, is one of the oldest in existence and dates back more than 1,300 years!
You can read more about the history of the role here.
Each Sheriff commissions their own chain and badge of office from private donations, which reflect the history and interests of each individual, whilst celebrating the craftsmanship of the finest jewellers in the City of London.
Deputy Keith Bottomley
The inspiration for the overall design of a stage reflects the City with so many acts being performed at the same time and with a cast of thousands and Keith’s lifelong passion for musical theatre. The triple chain signifies the office of Sheriff of the City of London. The central shield blue background enamel is “Preston City” blue where Keith was born. The central part is taken from elements of the bronze doors of the Bank of England, representing a career in banking, crossed keys for security, within a ring of chain links for strength and continuity. Between the bow rings of the key is a discreet Nat West logo with an open book above, recognising the importance to Keith of education and learning. In the corners are wings to depict Hermes, the messenger of the gods, for a career in communications. At the top is a patten on a mantling background set with twenty-five diamonds, Keith’s birth stone, together with twenty five sapphires representing the sky, a canvass for emotion symbolising freedom, hope, and vastness. Reflecting his connection to the Hon Company of Master Mariners and his love of the sea, there are crossed tridents applied, there are seven hand painted vitreous enamel shields clockwise from top left are firstly Keith’s mother livery, the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers, the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers where Keth is a liveryman, the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners, he is an honorary freeman, Broad Street Ward Club as a past chairman, Barts Hospital Guild as trustee, Bridge Ward Club representing the ward Keith is elected to represent in the City and the Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights where he is a liveryman. The chains rise to the shoulder pieces of the Lancashire red rose where Keith spent his early years. The badge was designed and made by the City Goldsmiths Grant Macdonald.
Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney
For years, I have worn a signet ring like my father and grandfather before me, engraved with the Essayez motto and griffin, yet no coat of arms had previously been registered. Now, a griffin surmounts the arms and carries a globe, reflecting having been born abroad, lived in five different countries and invested in many more.
Let me give you a quick tour of the badge: and my gratitude to Grant MacDonald, goldsmith, for his outstanding craftsmanship. The hexagonal shape is inspired by the famous hexagonal emerald watch, made from a single enormous South American emerald, of the Cheapside hoard, the very representation of a pirate’s treasure chest – rediscovered in 1912 after lying buried since Elizabethan times. At the centre of the shield is a chevron with a blue and gold wave pattern, inspired by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers’ arms. To me, these waves also evoke the patterns of the stock market, or people meeting in a market—a reference to the Saxon word ‘Cheap’, meaning market – never inexpensive or of little value. And I hope the two Penneys before you today will give you good value.
My time in the army and enjoyment of fencing at school, university, and Sandhurst are represented by the crossed cavalry swords. On each of these is a bible, topped by a bezant—a gold medieval coin—which reflects my career as a City investor, though it can also be seen as symbolising the treasure of our three children. I’m sure for all of us, treasure represents far more than monetary value.
The motto ‘Essayez’—to try, to persevere—has been a guiding principle, especially in challenging times of life! And between the City badge and my own, there is a piece of the ancient Cheapside tree, immortalised by Wordsworth, the oldest in the City, turned and set in silver, creating a tangible connection to our heritage, my love of the outdoors and creation.
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Some further photographs of the Sheriff’s Breakfast courtesy of photographer Richard Ryszard below.
Photo credit: Richard Krakowski – Sharp Photography