Immediate Past Master Richard Hill looks back over 2022-2023 and his year as Master of the Company.
“I write these words at the end of my year as Master, reflecting on a difficult but fulfilling year representing the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants.
“It was my greatest fear that my Consort and wife, Katja would not survive my full year as Master. There was of course little I could do about that, other than make a start with her by my side and see how far we got together. As you know it was not too far, but I am grateful that she enjoyed two of our key annual events.
“As I said in the Summer Newsletter, for any upcoming Master, one’s Consort is key to the journey that is taken, for it is shared. When that sharing abruptly stops, the impact is significant.
“I would like to thank everyone who helped reduce that impact, particularly our Clerk Jane, Lady Hilliard, for that was – and still is – very much appreciated.
“Nonetheless, just as night turns to day, so life moves on and both the Livery movement calendar and our own Company’s calendar has been full of events, meetings and committees.
“I have enjoyed experiencing the traditions of the Livery movement, of having access to some of the City’s most interesting buildings, meeting fellow Masters and being in the presence of our new King and Queen.
“Back in May, I was invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace just days before the Coronation, which I attended with Katja’s daughter. It was a great and unique experience.
“And, in October, I was very privileged to join other Masters and leaders of City institutions at Mansion House for a dinner to mark the contribution of the Civic Institutions of the City of London to their Majesties’ Coronation.
“This contribution was for the Anointing Screen created for the coronation, which was funded by a number of City institutions including ourselves. That was a very special evening and, as my penultimate event as Master, was a rather a nice way to start bringing my year to a close.
“I will say again that I have enjoyed the various opportunities I have had with our Affiliates. They are all genuinely very grateful of our support and I would urge everyone to be on the lookout for any events involving them and to take up the opportunity to learn more about them. You will enjoy the experience.
“Any Master’s year is, of course, more than just eating and drinking; there is a Company to run. I would like to offer thanks to all our Committee members and their chairs – and to highlight their endeavours, for without their work we would not function as a Livery Company.
“I will start with the Charities Committee, chaired by our Almoner, John Poore. Charitable giving is a key part of any Livery Company and John, with his committee, has this year distributed close to, or maybe now over, £100,000. We can be very proud of that.
“Our Development Committee, chaired by Past Master Hopkins, has carried out key work on ensuring the Company always moves forward and that we have a ‘business’ continuity plan, and a risk register, etc.
“The Education and Training Committee, chaired by our Junior Warden Lucia Di Stazio has a big mandate. The committee plays a key role in the philanthropic side of our Company, as well as within the Livery movement with initiatives such as the Livery Schools Link. Thank you for a job well done, Lucia and team.
“The Election Committee is also carrying out important work, ably chaired by Past Master Andy Williamson. Key outcomes this year have been to increase the numbers permitted in our Company to 300. On top of this, the Chair and his Committee have been working continually to increase the numbers of new Freemen and Liverymen coming through at each relevant Court meeting.
“We also have a brand-new Committee, also chaired by Andy, that has been looking at environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters. The Chair has brought some new faces on board here and progress has been very good, with a new Climate Action Plan being introduced.
“Events and Marketing, always chaired by the Senior Warden, is expertly supported and assisted by the committee members. Key here has been the review of our marketing documents and our website where, again, very good progress has been made.
“I should also like to thank Liveryman Andy Hextall for taking over the task of raising sponsorship for each Livery year. Thank you, Andy, and thank you Court Assistant Steve Hollamby for all your hard work in this area over many years. It is very much appreciated.
“And so to the Finance Committee, professionally chaired by our Bursar, Julie Langford, and well supported by the committee. Many detailed improvements to our processes and procedures have taken place this year, so we definitely enter the ‘new’ year on a good footing.
“And finally (this has been in alphabetical order – no hierarchy here) thank you to our Trustees, very competently chaired by Court Assistant Howard Grant, with PMs Latham Williamson in support. Key output this year has been a change of brokers/investment managers.
“You can see that a lot happens ‘behind the scenes’ to keep the Company working. Thank you to everyone involved, your hard work has been much appreciated.
“Of course, supporting all these Committees and Chairs (and the Master) throughout the year is our Clerk Jane, Lady Hilliard, and our assistant clerk, Denise Llewellyn. A great big thank you to you both for your absolutely key and often relentless work. Like the Committees, much is unseen but a lot is done.
“The foundation on which all our activities is built is formed by our sponsors. Sponsorship is key to a successful Livery year and hugely appreciated by the Master, the Court and all Liverymen. So to my year’s sponsors ACO, BMF, CEMEX, Civils and Lintels, Encon, George Lines & Lords, H&H, Marsh, NMBS and Polypipe – thank you very much indeed. Without you all my year would have been very different.
“To close: it has been a great privilege to have been your Master, and I thank you for the opportunity. I believe I have flown the flag of the builders’ merchant in an appropriate manner and helped maintain our longstanding reputation.”
