s at the Central Criminal Court, and attending various ceremonies and events. Langley is warm and engaging, with a refreshing lack of pretension. She tells me about her journey from sceptic to enthusiast for the ancient role of sheriff, which she took on last year. “I saw the role as too traditional, it took 10 years to change my mind,” she says. “It’s really important for the City of London to have that continuity, that history, that tradition, because that’s what helps to give it its identity and its strength.”Langley is not alone in straddling modern finance and ancient governance. The City of London Corporation, which dates back to at least 1067 when William the Conqueror granted a charter to the citizens of London, has long boasted a diverse range of leaders. There are the aldermen, who are elected by the residents of the City, and the lord mayor, the figurehead of the corporation who serves a one-year term. The corporation is unique in the UK in that it has its own police force, the City of London Police, and its own courts, including the famous Old Bailey. It also has its own local government system, with the lord mayor holding the ceremonial position of chancellor of the City University of London and the corporation running the City’s schools, markets and cemetery, among other services.Langley is keenly aware of the need to balance the ancient and the modern in her role as sheriff. “I think there’s a real opportunity to bring the City more into the modern world and to make it relevant to a broader range of people,” she says. “We need to be able to communicate what the City does and why it’s important in a way that resonates with people today.”Langley’s efforts to modernise the City are evident in her work as sheriff, where she has focused on promoting diversity and inclusion within the City’s institutions. She has also been vocal about the need for the City to adapt to the changing needs of its residents and businesses, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. “I think the pandemic has really highlighted the importance of being able to be flexible and adaptable in the way that we do things,” she says. “We need to be able to respond to the challenges that we face today and in the future, and that means being open to new ideas and new ways of working.”Langley’s commitment to modernising the City is reflected in her approach to her role as sheriff, where she has sought to bring a fresh perspective to the ancient traditions of the City of London. “I think it’s really important for us to be able to look at the past and learn from it, but also to be able to look to the future and see how we can adapt and evolve,” she says. “The City has a rich history and a strong identity, but we also need to be able to change with the times and respond to the needs of the people who live and work here.”As we part ways outside the Old Bailey, I can’t help but feel a sense of optimism about the future of the City of London. With leaders like Sue Langley at the helm, who are committed to balancing tradition and modernity, the Square Mile seems well-equipped to navigate the challenges of the 21st century and continue to thrive as a global financial hub.
