A Jewish businessman has been appointed sheriff of the City of London, effectively a deputy to the Square Mile’s lord mayor.
Tim Levene, who represents the Bridge and Bridge Without ward as an Alderman, took office alongside fellow Sheriff Alderman Prem Goyal following their election at Guildhall.
The role will see him work closely with the new lord mayor, former Sheriff Bronek Masojada, to support judges at the Old Bailey and promote the City’s financial and professional services sector.
Levene has long been involved in the City Jewish Network, which brings together Jewish people working across the Square Mile, and recently joined members of the group in marking Rosh Hashanah.
He has also played a role in celebrating the historic Jewish presence in the City, nominating Rabbi Shalom Morris of Bevis Marks Synagogue for the Freedom of the City of London.
“The City does two things at once,” Levene said at his investiture. “It embraces what is new and protects what we have. That balance, between innovation and the rule of law, is what I hope to bring to the role.”
Educated at City of London School and the University of Manchester, Levene began his career at Bain & Company before moving into entrepreneurship.
He helped establish the juice-bar business Crussh and later became a founder of gambling site Flutter.com, which merged with Betfair in 2001.
“I have spent my career founding and backing businesses and as sheriff, I want to put that experience to work for the City: championing the Square Mile as a global home for financial services in general and for fintech and AI in particular, and opening doors for the next generation of founders,” he said.
Levene will be based at the Central Criminal Court, better known as the Old Bailey and will promote the importance of the English rule of law to businesses, schools, diplomats, charities and the City’s historic Livery Companies.
“It will be an honour to support His Majesty's Judges at the Old Bailey, and to serve the Lord Mayor and the Livery,” Leven added.
His appointment also comes as the City prepares for a change at its ceremonial centre.
Masojada was elected the 698th lord mayor on 29 September and will formally take office at Guildhall on 13 November, succeeding Dame Susan Langley, the first woman to hold the title of lady mayor.
Masojada, a former Hiscox chief executive and former Sheriff, has said his mayoralty will focus on connecting talent and capital with opportunity and promoting Britain’s financial and professional services sector internationally.
Levene will spend the coming year supporting a new Lord Mayor while pursuing his own agenda of innovation, entrepreneurship and the rule of law.
To get more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.