AFB Mansion House Lunch 2025

The AFB Mansion House Lunch is now open for bookings. 

We are delighted to announce Sam Woods, Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation and Chief Executive Officer of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) will give the keynote speech at this year’s Mansion House Lunch on 3 April.

This year’s lunch will be held in the presence of the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens, Alderman Sir William Russell, at Mansion House – one of the most impressive venues in the City of London. The event hosted by AFB Chair, Stewart Boyd, provides members with an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues and business guests.

Eversheds Sutherland will once again sponsor this year’s lunch.  As a global top 10 law practice, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal advice and solutions to an international client base and Financial Services is their biggest industry sector. The firm’s multi-disciplinary team consists of lawyers and regulatory consultants who have worked for the sector for many years as well as individuals who have previously worked at the FCA in supervision and enforcement. You can find out more on the Eversheds Sutherland website.

We recommend that you book early to avoid disappointment, as this event is always popular with AFB members and their guests.

On arrival, there will be a welcome reception with drinks and a selection of canapes, followed by a seated 2-course lunch and speeches.

Please arrive as early as possible to make the most of the welcome reception and enjoy the canapes over conversations with fellow members and guests.

Tickets are £215 + VAT per person. Tables are now sold out.

Speaker Biographies

Sam Woods

Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation and Chief Executive Officer of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA)

Sam Woods assumed the role of Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation and Chief Executive Officer of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) on 1 July 2016 and was reappointed for a second term of five years on 22 June 2021 to 30 June 2026.

As Deputy Governor for Prudential Regulation and CEO of the PRA, Sam Woods is also a member of the Bank’s Court of Directors, the Prudential Regulation Committee, the Financial Policy Committee, and the Board of the Financial Conduct Authority.

Sam’s previous role was Executive Director of Insurance at the PRA. In this role, Sam was responsible for overseeing the monitoring and regulation of over 600 life and general insurance firms. Sam joined the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in 2011 and transferred to the Bank in 2013 with the integration of the PRA. He served as Director for Financial Stability Strategy and Risk, and prior to that was Director for Domestic UK Banks Supervision.  Before joining the FSA/Bank, Sam spent ten years at HM Treasury in a variety of senior roles.

Alderman Sir William Russell

Lord Mayor of the City of London 2019-21

William took office as the 692nd Lord Mayor of the City of London in November 2019. To ensure continuity of leadership during the current COVID-19 outbreak, he remained in office until November 2021.

William’s mayoral theme was Global UK: Trade, Innovation and Culture, aiming to grow global trade, champion innovation and promote a rich and vibrant cultural and creative economy. During his mayoralty, William led the Green Horizon Summit at COP26 alongside Mark Carney, promoting the importance of Finance and the City of London to help the UK get to NetZero.

William has over thirty years’ experience in the financial and business City including holding senior positions in the national and international Banking sector. In 1987 he went to work for First Boston Corporation before joining Merrill Lynch in 1992 as an Investment Banker in Institutional Equity Sales, working in Asia, New York and London.

William is currently Chair of CDAM, a London based Asset Management business; co-Chair of the UK-China Green Finance Taskforce with Dr Ma Jun, and a non-executive Director to Augmentum Fintech Investment Trust.

William served on the Board of Innovate Finance, co-Founder and Chair of Knightsbridge School and a Director of Knightsbridge School International (KSI), past member of the Campaign Board for Durham Inspired, he is Deputy Chair of the Barbican and is on the Council of the Royal Theatrical Support Trust. He is a past Chair of Prostate Cancer UK; past Deputy Chair of Place2Be, and a past board member of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

William was elected Alderman for the Ward of Bread Street in March 2013.

In 2021 William was elected as Governor of the Honourable the Irish Society. William is a Court Assistant to both the Haberdashers’ and the Feltmakers’ Livery Companies, as well as an Honorary Liveryman of the Paviors’ Company and a Liveryman of the Girdlers’ Company.

Stewart Boyd – AFB Chair

Country CEO, DBS Bank Ltd, London

Stewart joined DBS London in 2004 as Head of the Commodity Trade Finance team with responsibility for developing the business. He was appointed General Manager in 2010 and Country CEO in 2014, increasing his responsibilities to include DBS Vickers.

During his time in London he has demonstrated a strong ability to build our business and deepen our customer relationships not just in London and Europe but also in Asia.  He has strong client relationship skills and has placed focus on growing sustainable client relationships, leveraging on the Asian connectivity. 

Under his stewardship DBS London has successfully grown its Corporate Banking business and added a Treasury and Markets team.  In 2016 DBS London added a Wealth Management business to its portfolio. 

Stewart has over 35 years’ global experience within the industry, spending five of those years based in Hong Kong, as well as having worked in Switzerland and South Africa.  Stewart serves as the Chair of the Association of Foreign Banks’ Board of Directors in the UK and is a past Chairman of the World Affairs Division of the Association of Foreign Banks.

Stewart graduated with a BA and postgraduate LLB degree from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in 1985.

Logistics

Cost:        £215 (plus VAT) per person

Venue:     Mansion House, London, EC4N 8BH

Date:       Thursday 3 April 2025

Time:       12:00 Arrival for welcome drinks and canapes (Please arrive no later than 12:45)

                12:55 Guests to be seated for a 2-course lunch and speeches

                14:30 Close

Please contact us at secretariat@foreignbanks.org.uk if you have any queries.