Dear Elector,
It has been a tremendous honour to serve as Alderman for the Ward of Queenhithe over the last six years. With your support I hope to be able to continue my service for another term.
We have been on an exciting journey together – witnessing renovation of the Anglo-Saxon dock and the raising of flood defences in a joint project between the City of London Corporation, the Environment Agency and the Port of London Authority. Following unveiling of the plaque on the Thames Walkway I am making good progress with the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers – one of my Livery Companies resident in the Ward – regarding decoration of the concrete wall in a joint project between themselves and Art for All. I am most grateful for the support of each Master Painter for both myself and the Ward Club during my time in office.
As a Court Assistant of the Worshipful Company of Horners I am also pleased to report on an active partnership with this ‘happy’ Company, who, like the Painter–Stainers support me in my role as Church Warden at St.James Garlickhythe (our Ward Parish Church, where Caroline and I married) and in my Toy Collection for the Salvation Army each Christmas, in 2009 collecting over a thousand toys which I helped distribute to deprived families. My family history with Queenhithe through four generations of the Salvation Army is well documented and it is a great privilege to house the International Headquarters, a building of such architectural renown, in the Ward – along with the Millennium Bridge, where the inclinator has involved myself and my Common Councillors in many discussions with the Corporation but, I am glad to say, seems close to being resolved. On International Women’s Day 2010 it was a great pleasure to welcome Theresa May, Sarah Brown, Annie Lennox and young women from many London schools and colleges to the Bridge in celebration of the global role of women.
Business activity has grown in the Ward, despite hard times. Thank you to all businesses who have welcomed both myself, the Ward Club, my Liveries, charities and Corporation Committees to your premises. Queenhithe is a vibrant place to live and work and in 2010 we retained our status with the City of London Police as the safest Ward with the lowest crime figures in the City.
After a career of 45 years at a senior level in the City Financial (including Chairman Norex FS & MD Lambert Fenchurch) and with the Worshipful Company of Insurers as my third Livery Company, I continue to be at the forefront of financial services through my consultancy role with Jardine Lloyd Thompson.
Over the last 6 years I have served as a magistrate on the City Bench and on many City of London Corporation Committees; Epping Forest (2007 – present, recently elected Deputy Chair, to be Chair in 2012); Markets (2010 – present); Planning & Transportation (2009–10); City Bridge Trust (2008–9); Finance (2006); Community Services (2004–07); City of London Freeman’s School (2004–5)
As Chairman of the Bridewell Appeal, a Governor/Trustee at St. Paul’s Choir School, King Edward’s School Witley & Christ Hospital School and as a Director of Wembley National Stadium Trust, my commitment to education and young people is as strong as ever. I have been thrilled to attend a number of events at the City of London Boys School and am immensely proud of their flagship presence in the Ward. Many of you have supported my charitable activities during my term and it was a great pleasure to both Caroline and myself that so many Ward residents and business supported our Bobby Moore Fund – Cancer UK East meets West charity fashion show at Guildhall in January 2010. Through Women in the City, the redevelopment of St.Nicholas Cole Abbey, the Company of Educators and as Chairman of Queenhithe Ward Club 2007/9 Caroline is active and highly regarded in the Ward and wider City. Her most recent appointment as Patron, East Sutton Park Prison & the TAB ex-offenders support centre in Tower Hamlets sees her confirmed as the high-profile spokesperson of a £38 million development programme.
My Common Councillors, Deputy Alastair King and Brian Mooney continue to provide tremendous support and, as Ward residents, are invaluable in solving local issues as well as bringing their immense international business experience to the working of the Corporation. We work as an effective team and would like this to continue for another term, especially so that we can maximize the profile of Queenhithe as we move towards the Olympics and beyond. There is still much for us to do – with completion of the Thames Walkway as a priority!
Between now and the Wardmote I hope to meet you and other electors during one of my visits or surgeries but please also feel able contact me by phone or email: gordon.haines@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Yours sincerely,
Gordon Warwick Haines ACII
Alderman, Queenhithe
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