Who’s Who

Under the Company’s charters a Court of Assistants comprising the Master, three Wardens and twenty Assistants control the Company. Members of the Court elect the Master and Wardens each year and it is the Master who presides over the Court. He is both the Company’s chief officer and its figurehead.

All vacancies on the Court are filled by the appointment of a Liveryman to the office of Assistant. To be appointed Assistant, a Liveryman must have served as a Steward for a minimum period of one year.

The Court grants the livery to a number of candidates each year who in general are connected with the trade, but first they must be granted Freedom of the City of London.

Liverymen are entitled to attend all functions of the Company apart from those reserved for the Court. They are also entitled to vote at Common Hall in the elections for Lord Mayor at Michaelmas and the Sheriffs on Midsummer Day.

The Learned Clerk is the Company’s permanent Executive Officer and the Beadle assists him.