British businessman Bronek Masojada has been elected the 698th Lord Mayor of the City of London, becoming the first person of Polish descent to hold one of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious civic offices. His election marks a historic milestone for the Polish community in the United Kingdom and highlights the contribution of people with Polish heritage to British public and economic life.
A businessman with Polish roots is preparing to take the helm of London’s historic financial district. Bronek Masojada, a former chief executive of the international insurance company Hiscox, was elected Lord Mayor of the City of London on 29 September 2026. He will formally assume office on 13 November, succeeding Dame Susan Langley, with the traditional Lord Mayor’s Show taking place the following day.
His election is particularly significant for Britain’s Polish community. Despite the centuries-long history of the office, Masojada is believed to be the first person of Polish ancestry to hold the position, providing a new chapter in the long history of Polish-British relations.
Born Bronisław Edmund Masojada in Durban, South Africa, in December 1961, the incoming Lord Mayor comes from a family with Polish roots.
His father, Milek Masojada, was an engineer, while the family’s history reflects the wider experience of Polish communities established far beyond their ancestral homeland.
His Polish heritage also includes a remarkable connection to the Second World War. A relative, Felicja Masojada, is remembered for her courage during the German occupation of Poland and for helping people persecuted by the Nazi regime.
Masojada was educated in South Africa, studying civil engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, before being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Trinity College, Oxford, where he completed a postgraduate degree in management studies.
His subsequent career would take him to the heart of British finance and insurance, establishing him as a prominent figure in the City of London.
Before entering civic life, Masojada built an impressive career in the financial services industry.
He joined Hiscox in 1993 and served as its group chief executive for 21 years, overseeing the company’s development into a major international specialist insurer. During his leadership, the business expanded its global presence and strengthened its position in international insurance markets.
Following his retirement as chief executive in 2021, he continued to hold senior positions in financial services and business, including chairmanships and non-executive directorships.
Masojada was elected an Alderman for the City of London’s Billingsgate ward in 2019 and subsequently served as Sheriff of the City of London during 2023–24.
His civic activities have also included charitable work as chairman of the East End Community Foundation, which supports communities across East London.
The Lord Mayor of the City of London is one of Britain’s most historic civic positions, with the first recorded Mayor of London, Henry Fitz-Ailwyn, taking office in 1189.
Unlike the Mayor of London, who oversees the administration of Greater London, the Lord Mayor represents the historic Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of the capital.
The officeholder serves as an international ambassador for Britain’s financial and professional services industries, promoting investment, trade and commercial relationships around the world.
Masojada’s election therefore places a British businessman of Polish descent in a highly visible position within the country’s economic diplomacy.
As Lord Mayor, Masojada intends to focus on attracting investment, supporting emerging industries and connecting British businesses with international opportunities.
Following his election, he described the appointment as a profound honour and emphasised the importance of British and international investment, as well as the role of talented people in creating economic opportunities.
His programme will seek to promote the United Kingdom as a trusted international financial centre while encouraging closer cooperation between businesses, investors and communities.
For Poland, his appointment also offers a symbolic opportunity to strengthen commercial relations with Britain. Poland’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Rafał Wiśniewski, personally congratulated Masojada on his election, expressing the Polish Embassy’s hope for productive cooperation, including closer ties between Polish and British businesses.
Masojada’s election represents another notable milestone in the story of the Polish presence in Britain.
From wartime service and post-war settlement to contributions in science, culture, politics and business, people of Polish origin have played an important part in shaping modern British society.
His forthcoming mayoralty adds a new dimension to that legacy, demonstrating how Polish family heritage can form part of a distinctly international British success story.
When Bronek Masojada formally takes office at Guildhall on 13 November, he will do so not only as one of Britain’s most experienced insurance executives, but also as the first Lord Mayor of the City of London with Polish roots, a historic distinction for a civic office whose traditions stretch back more than eight centuries.
Source: City of London Corporation, Polskie Radio
Photo: X @cityoflondon
Adam Domaniewski
