In May 1902 he was elected Town Clerk of the City of London from a large number of candidates.[1] In this role he was chief executive of the Corporation of London. Bell conducted the Corporation's business rapidly and efficiently and did not expect his instructions to be debated by his subordinates. Nevertheless, he was highly respected by his staff, by the members of the Corporation, and by the businessmen of the City. He retired in 1935, having been persuaded not to by the Corporation every year since 1931.