Civic Roles
Alastair King’s civic responsibilities include representing the Ward of Queenhithe in the City of London for over 26 years. He was first elected as Common Councilman in 1999; was appointed Deputy for the Ward in 2006; in 2016 he was elected Alderman with over 96% of the vote; he then was re-elected in 2022. In 2022-23 he served as the Aldermanic Sheriff of the City of London; then in 2024-25, Alastair became the 696th Lord Mayor of the City of London.
Lord Mayor of the City of London
In November 2024, Alastair began his one-year term as Lord Mayor of the City of London. The 696th Lord Mayor, he fulfilled his principal role as a Global Ambassador for the UK’s Financial and Professional Services, alongside championing charitable interests for the City of London and the wider community.
During his Mayoral year, Alastair championed his ‘Growth Unleashed’ theme, by promoting a revitalised, resilient, and risk-ready City. His theme focused on challenging the industry to maximise opportunities through responsible risk taking, driving the adoption of technologies, and celebrating the successes of the many diverse communities across the UK.
Aldermanic Sheriff
Alastair served a term at the Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) as Aldermanic Sheriff for 2022-2023, during which, notable achievements include hosting a special series of themed lunches at on matters pertaining to Women and the Law with leading sector experts, including those on FGM, Gender and the Law and Domestic Abuse and the Law, Menopause and the Law, Free Speech, Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking/Safeguarding and Grooming.
Over the years, Alastair has organised a series functions at the Old Bailey, celebrating London as a factor in the success of some individual immigrant communities. These include with the Jewish Communities (held in conjunction with the Jewish Leadership Council with Guest Speaker Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis); the Sikh Communities (with leading Kirtan singer Manika Kaur and Guest Speaker Simon Aurora of B&M Stores); the Hindu communities, the African-Caribbean communities, and the Muslim communities.
Alderman
One Alderman for each City of London ward is elected every six years by the voters in their wards. Aldermen are part of the decision-making bodies in the City, serving on the Court of Aldermen and the Court of Common Council. Activities include approving Freedom of the City applications, approving formations of new livery companies and recommending appointment of the Recorder of London. Additionally, Aldermen act as governors and trustees of City schools, hospitals and charities. Alastair’s role as Aldermanic Sheriff included supporting the Lord Mayor in his/her civic duties and advising them on matters important to the City: hosting dinners and events for visiting dignitaries, acting in absence of the Lord Mayor, serving as ambassadors for the city, liaising with the livery, officiating at the Central Criminal Court, and supporting His Majesty’s Judges with emphasis on the importance of English rule of law. Many of these themes Alastair continued as Lord Mayor in 2024-25.