City of London elects a new Lord Mayor every year. The Lord Mayor must have served as a Sheriff of the City, and since 1435 he or she has been chosen from among the City's Aldermen.

The election happens at Michaelmas, which is the 29th of September. The chosen candidate is known as the 'Lord Mayor Elect' until the day before the Lord Mayor's Show, when he or she is sworn into office in the Silent Ceremony. The Lord Mayor's Show then completes the process by delivering the new Lord Mayor to Westminster to swear loyalty to the Crown.

The 696th Lord Mayor of London will be Alderman Alastair King of the Queenhithe Ward, who will succeed current Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli. 

During his Mayoral year, Alderman King will champion his ‘Growth Unleashed’ theme, by 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 successes of the many diverse communities across the UK.

The duty of the Lord Mayor, both traditionally and in the modern world, is to promote and represent the City of London. Alderman King will serve as a global ambassador for the UK-based financial and professional services industry.

‘Growth Unleashed’ will look to drive growth and investment particularly in areas where the UK has a competitive advantage. As habitual early adopters of dynamic new technologies, the programme will seek to mobilise private capital to early-stage companies, productive sectors of the economy and promote pro-innovation regulation.