Michael Mainelli

Professor Michael Mainelli is a scientist, economist and former Lord Mayor of London, known for his work at the intersection of finance, technology and public policy.

Professor Michael Mainelli is a scientist and economist with a distinguished career spanning research, finance, technology, and public service. He is recognised for his work promoting societal progress through better decision-making, innovation, and financial systems.

Michael began his career in aerospace and cartography before moving into technology and finance. He was a senior partner at BDO Binder Hamlyn, and later served as Corporate Development Director at the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Evaluation & Research Agency, where he led the commercialisation of government R&D. He went on to work in investment banking at Deutsche Morgan Grenfell before founding Z/Yen in 1994, the City of London’s leading commercial think tank. Z/Yen is best known for producing the Global Financial Centres Index, the Global Green Finance Index, and the Smart Centres Index.

His areas of expertise span finance, sustainability, innovation, and systems thinking. Michael’s third book, The Price of Fish: A New Approach to Wicked Economics and Better Decisions, won the Independent Publisher Book Awards’ Gold Prize and reflects his long-standing interest in improving complex decision-making. He regularly speaks on topics including AI ethics, smart ledgers, green finance, regulation, trade, taxation, and future governance models.

Michael has held advisory roles with numerous governments and has contributed to the development of major financial and policy frameworks worldwide. His academic affiliations include fellowships at Gresham College, King's College London, and Birkbeck College, and visiting professorships at University College London and City St George’s University of London.

He served as Lord Major of London (2023–2024) and Sheriff (2019–2021), is an Alderman of the City of London, and is active across 14 livery companies. He is past Master of the Worshipful Company of World Traders and supports a number of environmental and educational charities. His professional contributions include work on banking and pension reform, ESG research, intellectual property markets, cyber risk, and standards governance.

Michael has also led public initiatives on AI ethics, space sustainability, and long-term financial systems – including Long Finance and the London Accord. As a keynote speaker, he is known for combining deep subject matter knowledge with real-world application, drawing on his experience across technology, economics and policy.