Annual Gala Dinner

The Chamber is delighted to announce that for the third consecutive year, our Annual Gala Dinner will be hosted at the iconic Mansion House, the Official Residence of the Mayor of the City of London.

While in previous years we’ve had the privilege of being hosted by former Lord Mayors, this year we’re especially honoured to be hosted by the sitting Lord Mayor, The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli, with whom the Chamber has had a growing relationship over a number of years.

The Lord Mayor’s theme for 2023-24 is “Connect to Prosper”, promoting the idea that we can achieve more by working together. He has long had an interest in South Africa, and we are very excited to be hosted by him, and through him to build our relationship with the City to keep South Africa connected and help it to prosper.

Mansion House, which sits right in the heart of the City, opposite the Bank of England, is a delightful place to visit, replete with gilt-topped stone columns, marble statues and exquisite art works. The Egyptian Hall, where we’ll be seated for the dinner, is a light and airy space, situated under an amazing, vaulted ceiling with mezzanine levels at each end which are backed by stained glass windows.

The Chamber’s premiere event of the year, the Gala Dinner provides a wonderful opportunity to network with peers, business associates and friends, meet members of the Chamber, Executive, Board and Advisory Board, while enjoying the finest foods and wines.

Tickets now available!

Prices: ? ￡155 per seat for members (Inc VAT) ? ￡185 per seat for non-members (Inc VAT) ? ￡2,000 Ex VAT?for corporate tables of 10, including recognition as a sponsor of the event.

Each ticket includes a champagne reception, a three-course meal, coffee and petit fours, wine and entertainment. The Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress and the two Sheriffs will be represented accompanied by representatives of the UK and SA governments.

Entertainment will be led by a five-piece band from The London Banqueting Ensemble.

We'll be welcomed to The Mansion House by The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli and The Lady Mayoress, Mrs Elisabeth Mainelli.

Michael Mainelli was elected as Lord Mayor of the City of London on 29 September 2023 and took office on 10 November 2023. He previously served Sheriff of the City of London from 2019-2021, being granted an extraordinary second year in that office, the first time since 1228, in order to provide continuity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our keynote speaker for the evening will be Sir Jan du Plessis

Sir Jan has a career in business, including serving as Chair for over a period of 18 years of various public listed companies:?

BT Group plc (2017 to 2021); Rio Tinto plc (2009 to 2018); SABMiller plc (2014 to 2016); RHM plc (2005 to 2007); and British American Tobacco plc (2004 to 2009).?

These roles have given Sir Jan an extensive experience in leadership and governance of some major global listed companies.? Many of these have faced life changing challenges.? Sir Jan is recognised as a strategic negotiator that finds the best solutions.

He has also had multiple interactions with the institutional investment community and gained meaningful insight into the challenges facing the audit services sector.

Sir Jan has also served as non-executive director of Marks and Spencer Group plc and Lloyds Banking Group plc.? From 1988 to 2004 he was CFO of Richemont.

Sir Jan is Chair of the Board for the Financial Reporting Council and is also their Chair of the People Committee and a member of the Conduct Committee and Regulatory Standards and Codes Committee Please see the video from last year’s event here.

We are pleased to announce that Finance Isle of Man will be our Platinum headline sponsor for the second year running.

International Centre of Excellence International advisors and investors can feel confident they are doing business in a forward-thinking and well-regulated international finance centre.

Businesses locating to the Isle of Man will find a stable political system and strong economic development ethos, a skilled workforce, leading technological and physical infrastructure, and a gateway to the UK and the rest of the world.

The Isle of Man has a pro-business government that strives to create an environment for businesses to flourish and has strong partnerships with the private sector which draws upon the Island’s expertise, creativity and connections. Strong links, physical infrastructure and technical facilities enable businesses to operate, develop and deliver to their customers worldwide.

To find out what the Isle of Man has to offer watch this short video