Master’s message October 2026

For all those of you who ask, “Are you enjoying your year as Master so far?” the answer is ‘yes’. Most certainly. It is keeping me young and active! To date it has been enjoyable, challenging and most rewarding.

The ‘enjoyable’ aspect is clearly working with enthusiastic individuals building strong relationships, and making new contacts whilst visiting some extraordinary places.

The ‘challenging’ aspect is referred to in a most positive way! Working on some incredibly special functions and events to celebrate our 350th anniversary for our members, whilst keeping costs within our capabilities. This is a concentrated juggling act by some dedicated colleagues; but with the most generous donations that are being offered, we are certainly on track, and the results are going to be exciting.

That brings me on to ‘most rewarding’. And the best way to illustrate this is to reflect on my recent visit to Brooklands, joining its Innovation Academy Day. The Academy attracts nearly 500 school students, who spend the day at Brooklands Museum listening to inspirational speakers and taking part in workshop activities.

I focus on this because I have a feeling there is not a significant amount of awareness among the general Livery about what our dedicated few do – and until that day, that included me.

One of our goals for this, our 350th year, is to engage directly with 350 young people to encourage them into careers in our associated industries. To help meet that goal, our STEM team has taken part in the day at Brooklands for the past four years with an activity called ‘Cars on Mars’. This workshop has been devised and run by the Coachmakers’ Charity team of Liveryman Andrew Blatherwick, Assistant Nick Lyford, Liveryman Graham Green, Assistant Roger Woodbridge and Senior Warden Eric Wallbank.

The Coachmaker crew put groups of 10-12 students in the roles of a team of engineers working in industry, developing the next ‘Mars rover.’ The prototype model is intentionally designed so that it is not able to successfully navigate the undulating course that simulates the surface of the red planet (a brilliant piece of construction, I must add, made by Nick Lyford – I think he must have been there sometime.)

The students have to analyse why it fails and then revise the model buggy, so it manages the course as required. They need to work out: does it require more ground clearance?; Does it need four-wheel drive?; and so on.

Now, one could argue that it is a good excuse for a few grown men to legitimately play with construction models; and who could disagree with that?

But when you see our guys inspire these youngsters, when you see a group of rather shy people come out of their shell, and a natural leader emerge to tackle the problem, it is most rewarding. The whole concept certainly provides an atmosphere of teamwork and co-operation difficult to create in a classroom environment.

Additionally, our workshop providers certainly prove that patience is a virtue!

The day ended with a most inspirational talk by Liveryman Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, pilot of the Hydromax, the hydrogen-powered car that recently achieved another land speed record, reaching 406mph. Andy is a member of our Livery and will be present at our Automotive Dinner on 2nd March 2027 in the magnificent splendour of the Goldsmiths’ Hall. The main thrust of his Brooklands lecture was teamwork – acknowledging his record-breaking run would not have been achieved without the dedicated team behind him.

Which brings me back to our 350th year. Without the dedicated team behind me; my enjoyable, challenging and rewarding year will be a struggle. The team’s focus is now on organising our next event at the Lord Mayor’s Show on Saturday 14th November, where the Coachmakers will join the parade with three coaches.

Shortly after that, I am eagerly looking forward to my first full Court session and then meeting all fellow Liverymen who are attending what is to be a stunning Aerospace Industry Dinner at Drapers’ Hall. It will be a remarkable occasion.