Alderman Michael Mainelli

(Elected 2024)

Alderman Mainelli completed a year in office as the 695th Lord Mayor of the City of London in November 2024. The Lord Mayor is an important ceremonial, ambassadorial and leadership position in the City of London dating back to 1189. A new Lord Mayor is elected in November each year and their role is to represent, support and promote business and residents in the City of London. Alderman Mainelli was the first American born Lord Mayor of the City of London and his 'Connect to Prosper' theme was a testament to the global reach and importance of the City as a trading centre. He has been Alderman for Broad Street ward in the City of London Corporation since 2013.

So, what about Michael Mainelli the person?

Michael comes from a family of tailors. The name Mainelli means 'nimble fingered'. He was born in Seattle, Washington State in the United States and later attended High School in Orlando, Florida where his interest in computing began. After a brief period in the aerospace sector Michael studied at Harvard University where he graduated with a degree in Government. Unusually for a degree in Government this included a year studying Mathematics at Trinity College, Dublin.

After a period in business working in accounting he pursued an MPhil and then a Doctorate at the London School of Economics (LSE) specialising in 'Chaotic Systems'.

Since this time, Michael has worked for Deutsche Morgan Grenfell in corporate banking and for a time at the UK Ministry of Defence Research Agency (DERA). Michael also founded the Z/Yen Group, a think-tank and consultancy.

Outside of this amazing and varied work he is married to Elisabeth, a passionate advocate for vocational education stemming from her experiences in Germany. Michael and Elisabeth have three children and he enjoys sailing, glassblowing and woodcarving in his limited spare time.

So why a Birkbeck Fellowship?

In between this amazing range of commitments and interests Michael also found time to support Birkbeck. While the Lord Mayor's role encompasses becoming Vice-President of Birkbeck, a title which harks back to its origins in the City, this is attached to the position and not the individual.

Michael came to Birkbeck's attention when he held the role of Sheriff of the City of London in 2019 and became involved in Birkbeck's Centre for Innovation Management Research (CIMR), through chairing a CIMR Debate in Public Policy on Green Finance and Innovation in June 2021. Later that year he asked Professor David Latchman, the former Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck to present to Z/Yen Group on the history of Birkbeck and the future of Lifelong Learning. This presentation was attended by many across the City community.

Michael joined CIMR as a Visiting Fellow in November 2022. He is a fantastic networker and has enabled CIMR and Birkbeck more widely to develop contacts with Livery Companies such as the Company of Entrepreneurs. Through Michael, CIMR have also developed links with Stephen Sykes, an environmental lawyer and entrepreneur who has now taught on two masters modules – Entrepreneurial Venture Creation and Entrepreneurship and Small Business.

In the past year he facilitated Jacqueline Winstanley (the Entrepreneur in Residence, at CIMR) and Professor Helen Lawton-Smith giving an online talk 'Knowledge Miles: The 695th Lord Mayor's Lectures on Disabled Entrepreneurs In London: Are They Getting A Fair Deal?' Michael, as Lord Mayor, has supported Birkbeck more broadly by being our gracious host at his former home, Mansion House, where last December he hosted a Dinner to celebrate our 200th Anniversary. The Princess Royal, as Chancellor of the University, was the guest along with many other of Birkbeck's friends and supporters.

In July 2024 as Vice-President of Birkbeck, Michael visited Birkbeck's Malet Street site and toured the electron microscope. Later, he spent time with staff and researchers from Earth Sciences where he learnt more about our new work in Astrobiology and our asynchronous learning.

Michael's ability to switch, develop and juggle several careers and many interests and to pursue lifelong learning reflects the path of many of Birkbeck's students. Some of his core interests in commerce, entrepreneurship, computing and finance also reflect some of the areas in which Birbeck has a long history and academic strength.