"Creating wealth, giving time, supporting people." These are the six words Alan Yarrow, Chartered FCSI(Hon), uses to describe his theme for his year as Lord Mayor.
Yarrow tells
the Review about his enthusiasm for his new job, which will see him travel for 100 days to 30 countries and make more than 650 speeches as an ambassador for the City of London.
He also reflects on a distinguished career in financial services that has included roles at Dresdner Kleinwort, the Financial Services Authority and the British Bankers' Association.
In a wide-ranging interview, Yarrow explains why he believes the City should be judged on how it uses the wealth it creates. "The creation of wealth is a good thing - the question is how you use that wealth," he says. "Is it a wealth of opportunity, or a wealth of money?"
He talks about the importance of the ethical standards that underpin the CISI, but expresses concern that regulators might be going too far in their efforts to make the financial services sector more accountable. "If the regulators lose the support of the industry they're regulating, that is a bad move," he warns. "I suspect we're getting quite close to that."
Yarrow also tells
the Review about the value of volunteering, a family history that includes a famous ancestor, and his love of art.
The interview forms part of a packed December print edition of
the Review, which will be delivered to CISI members in the week beginning 8 December 2014. The edition includes articles on the growing influence of activist investors, the serious challenges facing the eurozone, and how volunteering can not only help others, but also benefit your career and your employer.
The Lord Mayor's Show 2014The CISI was proud to participate in the Lord Mayor's show on 8 November 2014 to mark this very special day for our chairman.
All members, excluding student members, are eligible to receive the quarterly printed edition.Any qualifying member who has opted out of getting the hard copy can change their preferences within MyCISI via the
Communications Preferences tab to receive the print edition as of the March 2015 issue.