The Information Technologists' Company

Chief Internet evangelist and vice president of Google delivers inaugural ITC sponsored lecture at City University London

16 April 2008, London: On Monday 14 April 2008 the Information Technologists’ Company (ITC), the 100th Livery company of the City of London, made Vint Cerf, a founder of the Internet, an Honorary Freeman. The ceremony to honour Cerf took place at ITC’s Hall and preceded his delivery of the inaugural ITC sponsored lecture at City University London.

Being awarded the ‘Freedom of the Information Technologists’ Company’ is an honour bestowed upon those that have either provided exceptional service to a particular Livery company or have made an amazing contribution in the field in which the Livery company operates. Cerf takes his place alongside other ITC Honorary Freemen including Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Bill Gates.

In a separate ceremony which took place on Monday 14 April at Guildhall in the City of London, Cerf was also presented with the Freedom of the City of London. The ceremony, one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies in existence today, was also attended by the current Master of ITC, David Morriss, past Master and former Lord Mayor Sir Brian Jenkins, former Lord Mayor Sir David Brewer and past Master Tricia Drakes as well as ITC Chief Executive Michael Grant.

A delighted Vint Cerf said “Membership of the Information Technologists’ Company is a special honour for me and facilitates interaction with colleagues who share many common interests. As a new recipient of the Freedom of the City of London I feel doubly honoured that I have been invited to partake in this historic tradition.”

During his visit Cerf also delivered a lecture at City University London looking at the history of the Internet and what has driven its growth, as well as some of the trends in domestic and business use. The speech looked forward to the future of the Internet and the technical challenges it is likely to face. Cerf also examined issues surrounding the use of the Internet in the City of London.

ITC’s sponsorship of the lecture at the University follows a longstanding tradition among Livery companies. There are close links between City University and the body of Livery companies as the Lord Mayor of the City of London is also the Chancellor of the University.

As Tricia Drakes, past Master and chair of ITC’s security panel, explains, “The tradition of Livery companies delivering lectures at City University dates back for many years. ITC is delighted to continue this tradition and is exceedingly proud of Vint Cerf’s involvement with its inaugural lecture. His presentation will stand us in good stead for what we hope will become an annual event.”

Among Cerf’s many achievements he is credited as one of the founders of the Internet designing, in partnership with Robert Kahn, the TCP and IP protocols as well as its basic architecture. He has been awarded the highest civilian honour in the US, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and has held positions as Senior Vice President of MCI and Vice President of the Corporation for National Research Initiatives. He also served as Chairman of the board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) between 2000 and 2007.

You can watch a video of Vint Cerf's lecture by clicking here