A Journey from the East End to the Mansion House
Susan Langley, now known as Dame Susan, has come a long way from her humble beginnings in the East End of London. Growing up in a working-class family where her father was an electrician and her mother a housewife, she never imagined she would one day live in the grandeur of Mansion House, ride in a golden coach, or entertain dignitaries dressed in regalia of gold, diamonds, and ermine.
As the first woman to hold the title of Lady Mayor of the City of London in its eight-century history, Dame Susan has achieved more than just a prestigious position. She is also a Pearly Queen, a title that holds deep significance for her. The Pearly Kings and Queens, originally market traders, are known for their outfits adorned with mother-of-pearl buttons and for raising money for charity while celebrating Cockney culture.
“I always wanted to be Lady Mayor,” says the 62-year-old. “But I am even more proud I am a Pearly Queen.” Her grandmother used to take her to watch the Pearlies as a child, and she dreamed of becoming one. However, becoming a Pearly Queen is not something you can simply achieve; it is a legacy passed down through generations.
Dame Susan’s journey into the Pearly Kingdom was unexpected. “Someone heard me say I wanted to be a Pearly Queen and told the Pearly Association. I had an installation ceremony with a chaplain. They all came here to Mansion House,” she recalls. The traditions within the Pearly Kingdom are rich and varied, including the distribution of buttons when a member passes away and the fact that men traditionally do the sewing, not the women.
A New Era of Leadership
Dame Susan is the 697th occupant of her position and the first Lady Mayor. While there have been two previous female Lord Mayors, she is the first to feminize the title. Her role as Lady Mayor involves more than just ceremonial duties; she sees herself as an ambassador for financial and professional services.
“I have convening power, this house, and the ability to talk independently. I am completely apolitical. No one tells me what to say. It is a huge power having the microphone,” she explains. Her approach to leadership is modern, focusing on the role rather than the individual.
She has already identified her two successors, ensuring a coherent agenda for the City. “One year is not long enough to promote the City,” she notes. Her goal is to highlight the positives of London, especially in the face of negative social media narratives portraying the city as a crime-infested hellhole.
“We must speak up against it. Perception can become reality. We can’t sugarcoat it. Crime is an issue, but we have huge positives: the talent pool, the innovation, the liquidity,” she says. The UK is home to the most fintech unicorns in Europe, and the London Stock Exchange attracts over twice as much capital as any other European exchange.
A Positivity Campaign for the City
Dame Susan’s mayoralty has become a positivity campaign for the City. “I am just one person and it can feel lonely. We are becoming a nation of managers not leaders. People are less inclined to speak out with a view,” she reflects.
What would she tell a US tech boss considering coming to London? “We have the talent, diverse skill sets, and world-class universities. London is a safe and lovely city,” she replies, citing the time zone and English language as advantages. When asked about the image of the Square Mile as a hotbed of greed, ambition, and vice, she responds, “I was born in the East End, and the City has given me an amazing career. I don’t recognize that image.”
Her career path began with a degree in geography at Southampton, followed by a rise through the corporate ladder in insurance, with roles at Hiscox, Gallagher, and Lloyd’s of London, interspersed with stints at the Department for International Trade and the Home Office.
A Life of Balance and Tradition
Dame Susan’s husband, Gary, whom she met three decades ago at accountant PwC, plays a vital role in her life. “He doesn’t like publicity. On the Tatler photo-shoot he ducked every time they approached him with a powder puff,” she jokes. The couple lives in Mansion House during the working week and retreats to Hertfordshire at weekends.
“I don’t have chandeliers at home or cornicing,” she explains. Despite her grand surroundings, she remains down-to-earth, a West Ham supporter, and a proud champion of her hometown.
“The Square Mile is the economic engine of the UK. It gives people opportunities they might never imagine,” she says. “I just wish my parents were still around so they could see what the City has given me.”
