Joint Dinner of the Asquith Society and the OC Financial Services Group

The Asquith Society and the OC Financial Services Group convened at a historic and memorable Joint Dinner at the awe-inspiring Worshipful Company of Bakers Hall. The Asquith Society comprises leading OC lawyers and the Financial Services Group encompasses OCs that are at the forefront of London’s financial markets.

Following a champagne reception, a three-course meal and port, the Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Bakers, Alan Willis, addressed the group on the fascinating history of the Company. The Company is one of the oldest City of London Livery Companies, dating back over 800 years. The Pipe Rolls of Henry II record that the Bakers of London paid a Mark of gold to the King’s Exchequer from 1155 AD onwards. Today, the Company supports a wide array of charitable and educational causes.

The group was then addressed by the honorable guest of the evening, Alison Carnwath. Alison is one of the highest-profile executives in the City of London and has had a varied career internationally. She currently serves as the Chairman of Land Securities PLC, the UK’s largest property company listed on the London Stock Exchange. She is also a board member of Barclays PLC, Director of MAN Group and Senior Advisor at Evercore. She delivered a most captivating talk, which covered topics as diverse as her personal experiences of the economic downturn, the legal liabilities that executives take on as they take on Directorships and how to improve the efficiency of company boardrooms. A lively Q&A session followed, in which members of the group were able to discuss these topics in more detail.

The event was organised by businessman Isaac Livne, investment banker Cliff Hampton and City solicitor Martin Day. If you would like to be invited to future events of the Asquith Society or of the OC Financial Services Group, please be in touch with Isaac Livne (for contact details, please email Karen Sage at [email protected]).