Alderwoman Jennette Newman
Email: jennettenewmanwalbrook@gmail.com
Jennette Newman, Alderwoman for Walbrook Ward, was elected in 2022. Jennette is partner of the law firm, HF and Chairperson of the Chartered Insurance Institute. She has over 20 years’ experience in the legal and insurance sector and has held senior business roles at both Clyde & Co and BLM.
Jennette is a recognised in the UK and international casualty markets with experience in claims, defence litigation, and coverage, advising insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries, corporates, and other risk carriers on all aspects of their claims, investigation process, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). She has a wealth of experience dealing with highly sensitive multi-party, multi-jurisdictional, and high-value and complex claims
Principal committees:
- Court of Common Council
- Planning and Transportation Committee
- Culture, Heritage and Libraries
- Court of Aldermen
- General Purposes Committee of Aldermen
Further details of the member, a full list of committees can be found here.
Deputy James Thomson CBE
Email: james.thomson@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Website: www.jamesthomson.london
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMDT999
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-thomson
James was elected as Common Councilman for Walbrook Ward in 2013 and was re-elected in 2017 and 2022. James is the Deputy for the Ward.
James is Deputy Chair of the City of London Police Authority Board (and served as Chair for a maximum four year term from 202 to 2024). He is Chairman of its Economic Crime Committee which has oversight for the work of the City of London Police as National Lead Force for Fraud. He has served on the Police Authority Board since 2015 and previously also served as Deputy Chairman from 2017 to 2020. Prior to becoming an elected Member, James was a Special Constable with the City of London Police for 12 years.
James is a member of the City of London’s Policy & Resources Committee, the Finance Committee, Investment Committee and Capital Buildings Board. He is a governor and former Chair of the City of London School and a board member of the City Bridge Foundations, the UKs sixth largest charity with assets of £1.6 billion.
James is a Churchwarden of St Stephen Walbrook and a Court Assistant (and Past Master 2022/23) of the Grocers’ Company also based in Walbrook Ward. He is also Vice Chair of the Walbrook Ward Club.
Outside the City, James is non-executive Chairman of and was former Chief Executive of MJ Gleeson plc the listed house builder focused on building around 2,000 low cost affordable homes a year for first time buyers.
James has spent the last 25 years working in industry including for Smiths Group, the FTSE 100 listed international engineering company, as Group Finance Director of DTZ Holdings plc (based in Walbrook Ward), the listed property company now part of Cushman & Wakefield. Prior to becoming CEO of Gleeson he was Chief Executive of Keepmoat, the largest private developer of affordable homes in the UK delivering some 4,000 homes a year.
James trained as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and spent 10 years in investment banking at HSBC and Deutsche Bank. At HSBC he spent 3 years in South Africa advising the ANC-led Government of National Unity.
James was awarded a CBE for policing and inclusion in the 2025 New Year’s Honours.
Principal committees:
- Court of Common Council
- City of London Police Authority Board (Deputy Chair, immediate past Chair)
- Economic and Cyber Crime Committee of the City of London Police Authority Board (Chair)
- Policy and Resources
- Board of Governors of the City of London School, (immediate past Chair)
- City Bridge Foundation
- Capital Buildings Board
- Finance Committee
- Investment Committee
- Digital Services Committee
Further details of the member, a full list of committees can be found here.
Common Councillor Alethea Silk
Email: alethea.silk@cityoflondon.gov.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alethea-silk
Alethea Silk was elected in the City wide elections in 2022.
Having worked in the City for a number of years, with the last 7 years based in Walbrook, Alethea is very proud to represent the Ward of Walbrook here in the heart of the City.
Whilst currently working in property and security covering an estate both in the City and across the UK, she has also worked across a range of industries and so has much experience to bring.
Alethea is keen to promote the voice of Walbrook in the City ensuring that the ward is heard, as well as promoting opportunities and support for businesses, residents and workers offered by the Corporation. She is here for your suggestions and feedback on making this happen.
Principal committees:
- Court of Common Council
- Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee
- Culture, Heritage and libraries Committee
- Port Health & Environmental Services Committee
Further details of the member, a full list of committees can be found here.