FORMER stock broker Philip Caine has become a Freeman of the City of London.

Mr Caine was born and educated in the Island. After studying at King William's College in Castletown he studied mathematics at Cambridge.

For 20 years he worked as a stock broker working for a well known firm of stock brokers which is now part of UBS.

He then worked at the London Stock Exchange itself for 12 years. For the last nine years of his time there he was in charge of handling complaints from the public.

Mr Caine has three brothers - well known local broadcaster and musician Jim Caine, former chairman of Manx National Heritage and the Manx Museum trustees Bernard Caine and the late Charles Caine. The latter was a fellow of St Peter's College, Oxford, where he taught mathematics and became Vice Master. He later retired home to the Isle of Man.

Philip Caine attended a ceremony on Friday in the Chamberlain’s Court at the Guildhall where he officially became a Freeman of the City of London.

The Freedom of the City is a privilege dating back to 1237.  Formerly it was associated with various trading and other  privileges, including the right to be married in St Paul’s Cathedral.

Now it is closely, although not exclusively, associated with membership of the City Livery Companies, organisations which carry out much valuable charitable work and whose members elect annually the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Mr Caine will be 'Clothed in the Livery', i.e. become a Liveryman, of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers at a ceremony next Wednesday.