At the conclusion of Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley’s year as Lord Mayor of London, Tom Hoffman, the Deputy for Vintry Ward, proposed the following motion in the Court of Common Council:
“Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley began his engagement with the City some 35 years ago – in 1982 – when he became temporary organist at St James Garlickhythe Church at the heart of Vintry Ward –the BEST Ward in the City of London. Andrew was elected to Common Council in 1992 and to the Court of Aldermen in 2001; and so having been a Member of this Honourable Court for 25 years, of which 15 were as an Alderman, he gained considerable insight on the Corporation and the Mayoralty, both within the Square Mile and internationally, which has been very evident throughout his year as Lord Mayor. The combination of commitment, energy, good humour and wit have made this a remarkable year. Indeed Andrew has done things that no other organist, let alone any Lord Mayor, has ever achieved at St Paul’s Cathedral which was to be escorted down the aisle by Pikemen before pulling out all the stops on the organ. His motto to “Educate, Support and Inspire” has defined the man. It is said that he has even taken this to extremes; for example when seeing a small lad go up to a front door and try to reach the knocker that he couldn’t reach, he assisted the young lad. “And what happens now,” the Lord Mayor asked? To which came the reply “Now we leg it fast!” It is thus that the life of the City has been enlivened by his engagement with all, both great and small. The Lord Mayor has represented the City with confidence, clarity, and his consummate communications skills in all his visits across the UK and in his packed programme of overseas visits.
My Lord Mayor, I move that the Members of this Court take great pleasure in expressing to Alderman Dr Andrew Charles Parmley their gratitude and appreciation for the distinguished manner in which he has served as Lord Mayor of the City of London during the past year.
Always good-humoured and unfailingly charming, Andrew has been a superb ambassador – not just for the City, but for the entire nation. From Mexico to Nepal, from Glasgow to Blackpool, the Lord Mayor has worked tirelessly both at home and abroad to champion the UK’s financial, legal, educational and professional services. As an educator, the Lord Mayor’s motto for the year of “Educate, Support, Inspire” has provided a fitting theme for his year, and his appointment to the Government’s Apprenticeship Delivery Board is a testament to his endeavours in this area. He has also had the pleasure of hosting many special occasions in Guildhall and Mansion House, including the magnificent State Banquet for His Majesty the King of Spain, which I know will live long in his memory.
Andrew’s colleagues on this Court also wish to pay tribute to Wendy, the Lady Mayoress, who has herself undertaken a varied programme with passion and commitment. We express our gratitude for all her contributions.
In taking their leave of Andrew, their 689th Lord Mayor, Honourable Members reflect that his has been an exceptional Mayoralty and express our confidence that, after a well-earned rest, he will look back on a unique year with the greatest pleasure, a justifiable pride and immense satisfaction.”
