The Rector of City St George's is The Lord Mayor of London and appointed each year in November.
Alastair King was elected as the 696th Lord Mayor of the City of London in September 2024. He was then installed as the new Rector of City St George’s, University of London at a winter graduation ceremony held at the Barbican in January 2025.
The Lord Mayor acts as an international spokesperson for the City of London, leading business delegations overseas to key international markets on behalf of the UK’s financial and professional services industry.
In his role as Rector, Alderman King will meet government representatives from around the world, alongside business leaders and policy makers internationally.
He will work to strengthen global economic ties with the UK, identify new business opportunities and promote the UK as a top global destination for foreign investment.
A nod to the university’s historical links to the City of London, the installation of the elected Lord Mayor as Rector has been an important moment in the academic calendar since legacy City, University of London secured the Royal Charter in 1966.
Alderman King has served as Sheriff of the City of London and as a Liveryman of eleven City Livery Companies. He studied Law and Finance and practiced as a solicitor before holding senior positions at SPARK Ventures – a pioneering technology venture capital company in London.
He was also a Managing Director at Galahad Capital Plc and later founded and became Chairman of asset management company Naisbitt King Asset Management Limited.
As Lord Mayor, Alastair is promoting his theme of Growth Unleashed, promoting a revitalised, resilient, and risk-ready City. His theme will focus on challenging industry to maximise opportunities through responsible risk taking, driving the adoption of technologies, and celebrating the accomplishments of the many diverse communities across the UK.
Links with the City of London
Learn more about our history and our commitment to academic excellence, focusing on business and the professions, from our central London location.
City, University of London merged with St George’s, University of London on 1 August 2024 to become City St George’s, University of London. We are currently operating under a dual-running model, so you may still see references to our legacy institutions.