Issue 71: March 2019
MONITOR
The Newsletter of The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
Master’s Letter
economy, growing trade and
increasing prosperity
Championing digital skills: contributing
to a flourishing society, promoting the
City of London Corporation’s digital
skills strategy, and enhancing the
pipeline of digitally-skilled talent
internet and the question “Is AI a
positive technology?” were really
uplifting.
In January, I was very pleased to have
warmly welcomed our new Clerk, Mrs
Susan Hoefling. With a background in
IT and estates management, Susan is
already making an impact. She is
Addressing digital and social inclusion, finding so many of you to be welcoming,
again contributing to a flourishing
helpful and supportive.
society, widening social mobility, and
creating an opportunity for all
I had the pleasure of hosting the WCIT
hall staff for the annual Christmas
His message receives universal
lunch and I pay tribute to them all for the
acclamation. I am delighted that the
enormous tasks they undertake year
Lord Mayor will be elaborating on his
round, on behalf of the 801 Freemen
theme at our Mansion House Banquet
and Liverymen of our Company, not
(the WCIT Partners’ Dinner) on 4th July only for events such as the acclaimed
2019, and we are honoured that Past
New Freemen’s Dinner and the
Master Dame Stephanie Shirley DBE
Business Lunches, but their work every
CH will be responding. Please do “Save day at our Hall.
the Date” now!
In conclusion, I am very proud of our
The Master, Lady Parmley (Wendy)
One of my first duties as Master,
Company’s participation in supporting
following on from the Deputy Master’s
the Lord Mayor’s objectives, of our
announcement of the 2018 WCIT
members’ work in developing the
n the opinion of many, we have not Charity IT Award winners (see page 2),
Artificial Intelligence Learning Exchange
been involved in events as
was to welcome Prof. Richard Harvey,
to enable charities to be at the cutting
momentous as those which will
Gresham College Chair of IT,
edge of saving lives, and to be Master
occur in March 2019 since 1945. In
sponsored by WCIT:
of a modern livery company that is really
times of great uncertainty, one thing of
WCIT IT Professorship Lecture Series. making a difference.
which we can be sure is that nothing will His lectures are fascinating.
be the same again. As Information
With very best wishes,
Technologists this will come, of course, Many people ask me, “How’s it going as
as no surprise, as change, disruption
Master?” I have had the privilege of
Wendy
and innovation have ever been at the
representing the WCIT at several events
core of our profession.
during my first four months’ tenure. The WCIT Master
Liveries’ Service of Remembrance in St 2018 - 2019
As the 100th Livery Company of the City Paul’s Churchyard was quickly followed
of London, we are fortunate indeed that by the fun of taking part, with
Inside this issue:
the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor,
colleagues, in the Lord Mayor’s Parade
Alderman Peter Estlin, is at the
– and it didn’t rain! And, of course, I
2
WCIT IT Award
vanguard of digital advancement, and
have been invited to several other
never fails to stress the importance of
2019 New Freemen’s Dinner 4
events such as lectures and dinners.
the three key objectives of his theme,
5
103rd Business Lunch and
“Shaping Tomorrow’s City, Today”:
Highly thought-provoking dinner
IT
Student
Awards
discussions that the WCIT Charity
Promoting digital innovation alongside hosted at our hall, for sixth formers from
6
WCIT Charity News
financial and related professional
Lilian Baylis Technology School and
8
services, supporting a thriving
Clerk’s Letter
Hammersmith Academy, on rules for
I