Background
Gifford was born at Street Andrews, Scotland to Douglas Gifford (of Argentinian and Lowland Scots descent) and Hazel Collingwood.
Lord Mayor of London private sector banker
Gifford was born at Street Andrews, Scotland to Douglas Gifford (of Argentinian and Lowland Scots descent) and Hazel Collingwood.
He was educated at Sedbergh before going up to Trinity College, Oxford, graduating with an Master of Arts degree in Chemistry.
Gifford has been United Kingdom head of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) since 2000 and is also a Patron of the financial and enterprise education charity "MyBnk". Gifford started his career in finance with SG Warburg (1978-1982), working in international banking and capital markets. In 1982 he left to join a new merchant bank, Enskilda Securities, Skandinaviska Enskilda Bank and, from 1994 to 2000, he headed the bank"s operations in Japan.
Since 2000 he has been SEB"s United Kingdom country manager.
A former chairman of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce (United Kingdom) and of the Association of Foreign Banks (United Kingdom), he is a Trustee of Street Paul"s Cathedral Foundation, Chairman of the City Music Foundation, the English Chamber Orchestra charity and the Tenebrae Choir among other Arts involvements. He is a liveryman of the Worshipful Companies of Musicians, Cordwainers and Security Professionals.
He served as Master of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers (2010-2011) and is sponsoring Alderman for the Guild of Public Relations Practitioners. Sir Roger joined the Bank Workers Charity Trustee Board in 2011 and, following his term as Lord Mayor of London, was appointed its President on 1 March 2014.
He believes there is a continuing need to support banking industry employees and to enhance the ethics and culture of the sector.
Civic service In October 2012, he was elected Lord Mayor of London and took office on 9 November. Speaking after his election, Gifford said: "Next month will mark exactly 30 years since I joined SEB and 35 years since I first started working in the City. During this time, London"s Square Mile has become a truly global centre – and the focus of my year in office will be to underline that service is, and must be, at the heart of the financial services industry of the United Kingdom. In other words that the City must serve society – and be seen to do southern" Gifford"s Lord Mayoral charitable appeal, under the banner "The City in Society", focused on the City of London as a global centre for philanthropy and the Arts.
Gifford was elected as Alderman for the City of London Ward of Cordwainer in 2004 and is a member of the City of London Corporation Culture Heritage and Libraries Committee. He served as Sheriff of London from 2008 to 2009.