City veteran celebrates 65 years of not following the flock
On Sunday 27 September, Lloyd’s Fine Art broker, Bill Lethorn, 80, exercised his right, as a proud Freeman of the City of London, to walk a flock of sheep across London Bridge, in aid of The Hope Foundation and Marie Curie charities. Bill, who works for leading independent Lloyd’s broker LONMAR’s Fine Art business, LONMART, has been a successful Lloyd’s broker for over 65 years, a fact that along with his extensive charity work over the years lead to him recently being appointed as a Freeman of the City of London.
During his time in the City, Bill, who is renowned for not following the crowd, with his, some would say eccentric dress sense, has met royalty, as well as working for the rich and the famous, some of whom he still supports as clients as an active Lloyd’s Fine Art broker, despite his advanced years.
Born in Calcutta in 1935, Bill was sent to boarding school in the Himalayas at 5 years old, and it was during his time there, tough as it was, that he developed a huge affection for the people of India, and the desire to help those less privileged.
The London Bridge walk started at 4.30pm on Sunday. Bill was supported by his nephew J.P. O’Sullivan, Director of The Hope Foundation, and by the aptly-termed Worshipful Company of Woolmen, one of the oldest livery Companies in the City, dating back to 1180. Bill’s book, ‘Over 65 Years in and around the City of London’ will be published shortly and a fund raising dinner for The Hope Foundation will be hosted at the Four Seasons, Park Lane, by Christopher Biggins and Sue Perkins on the 9th October.