Alderman Sir David Wootton was the 684th Lord Mayor of the City of London, serving from 2011-2012. He has been an Alderman of the City of London representing the Ward of Langbourn since 2005 and served as Sheriff of the City in 2009-2010.
Sir David was a lawyer, a partner in Allen & Overy LLP, the international law firm, from 1979 to 2015. He advised on corporate finance transactions and, in particular, mergers and acquisitions, public and private takeovers, capital raisings, IPOs, joint ventures across international markets and corporate restructurings - and best-practice compliance with law and regulation in corporate governance. He has been President of the City of London Law Society and is President of the City of London Branch of the Institute of Directors and an Honorary Bencher of Grays Inn. He is Co-Chairman of the Kazakh-British Trade and Industry Council and a Director of the Saudi British Joint Business Council UK and The International Dispute Resolution Centre. He is Vice Chairman of the International Trade and Investment Group, the private sector arm of the Financial Services Trade and Investment Board of HM Treasury, BIS and TheCityUK, set up to promote the UK financial services sector around the world. He was Co-Chairman of the Board organising the Global Law Summit in London in February 2015. He is on the Board of TheCityUK.
Sir David is Chairman of Local Partnerships LLP, Vice Chair of the Board of the Charles Dickens Museum, a Trustee of the St Paul's Cathedral School Foundation, Chairman of Northern Ballet, a Trustee of the National Opera Studio, a Director of the City Arts Trust and a member of the Pension Fund Committee of the King's Fund. He is also a governor of several educational institutions, including the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, King Edward's School, Witley, the City of London Academy (Southwark) and Bradford Grammar School. He is a Trustee of Guildhall School Trust and Chairman of the Trustees of Morden College. He is a Trustee of Steve Fairbairn Memorial Trust, Jesus College Boat Club Trust, the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation, Jesus College Cambridge Society, The Lord Mayor's 800th Anniversary Trust, Gad's Hill Heritage Centre Trust and Cross-Sector Safety and Security Communications. He is an Honorary Professor at London Metropolitan University Business school.
Sir David is a keen supporter of the Livery movement, and is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers and of the City of London Solicitors Company, a Senior Warden of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, Junior Warden of the Glaziers, Court Assistant of the Bowyers, the Watermen and Lightermen and the Woolmen, a Liveryman of the Clockmakers, and an Honorary Liveryman of the Security Professionals. He is a Director of Farmers Fletchers Hall Ltd. He is President of Langbourn Ward Club, past-President of Farringdon Ward Club, President of the City Livery Club, President of the Society of Young Freemen, Renter Warden of the Guild of Freemen and a member of the Council of the Royal Society of St George (City of London Branch) and the United Wards’ Club.
Sir David was awarded the Knight Bachelor in 2013. He is also Honorary Doctor of Laws City University London, Honorary Doctor Staffordshire University, Honorary Fellow Jesus College Cambridge, Honorary Fellow Guildhall School of Music and Drama (“HonFGS”), One of her Majesty’s Lieutenants for the City of London and Knight of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
During his year of office as Lord Mayor, Sir David led business delegations to 27 countries to promote all UK business: financial and professional services, infrastructure, education and manufacturing. At Mansion House in London, he received leading overseas Government ministers, politicians and business leaders, visiting London for Government or business purposes, and hosted State Banquets at Guildhall. He received the Royal family in the City, particularly at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 2012. At the London Olympics and Paralympics 2012, he hosted senior Government representatives from overseas and presented medals at a number of Paralympic events, including the cycling at Brands Hatch.
Sir David was born and brought up in Bradford. He was educated at Bradford Grammar School, and at Jesus College, Cambridge, reading Classics and Law. His other interests include opera, ballet and rowing - during the year as Lord Mayor he rowed in Zurich, Buenos Aires and on the 2016 Olympic rowing course in Rio de Janeiro and presented the prizes at Henley Royal Regatta, of which he is now a Steward. He is married to Lady (Elizabeth) Wootton and they have four children and five grandchildren.