Almost 90 members and guests of the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants travelled to Paestum in southern Italy for this year’s Master’s Weekend, making it the largest attendance the annual event has seen to date.
Held between 21 and 24 May, the weekend was hosted by current Master Lucia Di Stazio, along with Consort Mike Tattam. The Master’s Weekend is traditionally held somewhere that holds significance to that year’s Master – a location where they live or grew up, and this year Paestum was chosen due to Lucia’s Italian heritage and personal connection to the area. The itinerary included visits to some of the region’s most historic and culturally significant locations, including the ruins of three ancient Greek temples in Paestum, but the purpose of the weekend remained firmly focused on strengthening professional relationships among the Liverymen and Freemen who attended.
For many within the livery movement, the Master’s Weekend has become one of the most valuable opportunities in the calendar to spend meaningful time with fellow merchants, suppliers, service providers and industry colleagues away from the pressures of day-to-day business. In a market where many companies are facing challenging trading conditions, the value of strong relationships and trusted networks in helping grow your business has never been more apparent.
This year’s programme also included visits to local businesses and producers, and a series of shared meals designed to encourage conversation and connection. While informal in setting, the weekend provided an important chance for members to discuss the challenges currently facing the sector, share experiences and deepen professional ties in a more personal, relaxed environment.
The event also plays an important role in welcoming newer members of the Worshipful Company, many of whom were attending their first Master’s Weekend. Spending several days together gives newer Freemen and Liverymen the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the culture, traditions and values of the Company, while learning from and building relationships with long-standing members from across the industry.
Previous Master’s Weekends have been held in Cyprus, Cambridge, Reading and Bath, with next year’s Master, Kevin Fenlon, already confirming plans to host the 2027 weekend in Devon.
For those who attended the Italy trip, the overwhelming feeling was one of friendship and community. In an industry built on long-term partnerships and trusted relationships, the opportunity to spend time together outside the workplace remains one of the Worshipful Company’s greatest strengths.
Click here to visit a link to a gallery of images taken during the weekend.
And, to download all the images in a single .zip file, you can also right-click this link and select ‘save target as’.