We were very pleased that, following on from Commodore Tony Morrow CVO RN’s esteemed 5 year period as Admiral of CLYC, Professor Michael Mainelli agreed to join our ranks as the new Admiral of CLYC.
Michael is a scientist and economist promoting societal advance through better finance and technology. Originally a research scientist in aerospace (rocket science) and computing (architecture & cartography), educated at Harvard and Trinity College Dublin, he gained his PhD from the London School of Economics. A former senior accountancy firm partner and director of Ministry of Defence research, in 1994 he founded Z/Yen, the City of London’s leading think-tank. He is Emeritus Professor of Commerce and Life Fellow of Gresham College, a Fellow of King’s College London, Birkbeck College, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and Goodenough College, visiting professor at UCL’s Bartlett School and City St George’s University of London, Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple, senior independent director of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service and a listed mining company. He is active in numerous livery companies, past Master of the World Traders, an Alderman of the City of London for Broad Street, Lord Mayor of London 2023-2024 and Sheriff 2019-2021, with charity interests in the environment, education, and care.
Michael began sailing dinghies and has skippered and crewed on numerous boats in many countries, including 12 years racing J-24s at Kiel and ten years campaigning Sigma 33’s in the UK. He is a craft-owning Freeman of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen. Over two decade, Elisabeth and Michael raced and restored Thames Sailing Barge Lady Daphne. He lectures on sailing barge history and is a Trustee since 1999 of the Thames Match, a classic barge race since 1863. He has wider maritime business interests and charitable interests as Vice-Patron of The Gloucester 1682 Trust and the Maritime Archaeology Sea Trust. He is also Regional Commodore of the Maritime Volunteer Service. As Lord Mayor, Michael revived the Water Bailiff and Under Water Bailiff roles, conducted a Lord Mayor’s View of the Thames with a regatta up to Staines, and hosted a celebratory Thames Day.
