Coachlines - March 2026

30.03.26 Assistant Sir Kevin Leeson KCB CBE

A busy month for the Membership Committee

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Pictured above: Our new Freemen and supporters with the quorum Court at Vintners’ Hall

March has been a noteworthy month for membership activity. As part of the Senior Warden’s preparatory activities for our 350th year we held a special quorum Court at Vintners’ Hall on 19th March to swear some Coachmakers from the US who are highly influential in the coaching scene in North America and who were on a visit to London.

We also took the opportunity to swear some new UK colleagues whose diaries were challenging us to get them sworn at scheduled Court meetings. Our American colleagues were then joined by Harvey Waller, Geoff Dudley and Haydn Webb to complete their Freedom of the City of London, witnessed by the Master, Senior Warden, Past Master Julian Leach, the Clerk and yours truly.

Our American guests were also treated to a tour of ‘Livery London’ conducted by Honorary Assistant David Barrett and of the Guildhall by Laura Miller, Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court.

The Spring Court also saw us swear a further six new Freemen and clothe two new Liverymen. Unusually, the new Freemen included four sons of Liverymen which was great to see. I wonder if any more Coachmakers want to encourage family members to join us and take advantage of the highly favourable joining terms for under-35s?

We welcome to the Livery as new Freemen from both events:

Misdee Miller

Misdee has been competing and driving a coach and four for more than 20 years in the US, Canada, the UK and Europe, winning the coaching championship at many prestigious competitions. She is President of the World Coaching Club.

James Miller

James is CEO of Collins & Miller Properties, the owner of Mather Enterprises and owner and President of The Sarasota Polo Club. As well as being an accomplished polo player, he has competed in pairs combined driving throughout Europe and Great Britain. He has also competed and won four-in-hand coaching classes in the US, as well as presented four-in-hand coaches at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. He is also a qualified helicopter pilot.

Tucker Johnson

Tucker is a founder of biotech companies in the US and is president of his own aviation company. Formerly CEO and President of the USA Equestrian Team Foundation, he is also a six times US national champion four-in-hand driver and a qualified pilot.

Simon Barnes

Simon is Group Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Air Division. Simon has extensive experience in the aircraft and missiles industry, having worked in the UK and Middle East. He is an avid follower of Formula 1.

Nicholas Chaffey

Nick is Northrop Grumman’s Chief Executive and General Manager UK and General Manager Mission Systems Europe. He was previously with PA Consulting and London Underground. He is also an enthusiastic restorer and driver of classic cars.

Henry Bishop

Henry joins our under-35 membership and is serving a business and accountancy apprenticeship with Aeropeople.

Richard Budd

Richard is Vice President for Space Digital in the UK, US & Asia for Airbus Defence and Space. He has previously worked at Capita and Cable and Wireless.

We also welcome the following new Liverymen who were clothed at the Spring Court on 25th March 2026:

 

Charles Broadbent-Combe

Charles is a Director of Savills Estate Agents.

Aaron Hallatt

Aaron joins our under-35 membership and is currently studying for a Law LLB at University College London.

Rupert Hunt

Rupert joins our under-35 membership and is a sole trader dealing in classic cars.

Christopher Shakespeare

Christopher is a Royal Navy Air Engineering Officer and is currently Head of Engineering Oversight at the UK Military Aviation Authority.

We also welcome the following new Liverymen who were clothed at the Spring Court on 25th March 2026:

David Chapman

David is Programmes Director for the Operations Division of Triumph Aerospace, and has previously worked for Serco and Meggitt.

 

Alexander King

Alexander is an Airworthiness Surveyor with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, having previously worked for Jet2 as a Reliability Engineer.

This bumper month now sees the Livery with 317 Liverymen and 135 Freemen, so we are well on our way towards the goal of 500 Coachmakers during our 350th anniversary year.

So please excuse me for repeating my recent appeal to you all – do you have family members, professional colleagues or worthy friends who would like to join the Livery and help with our good work as an active Livery investing in young people?

I will also repeat the dates of our group bookings for Freedom of the City ceremonies which are designed to help our Freemen gain Liveryman status with the minimum of organisational effort!

The forthcoming dates are:
16th July 2026 – 11.30am
This is the day of the Summer Court and Dinner, so a chance to get your Freedom of the City and be clothed as a Liveryman that same evening.
24th November 26 – 11.30am
This is the same day as the Aerospace Awards Dinner, so a chance to be clothed at the Audit Court in the spectacular Drapers’ Hall the same day as getting your Freedom.
11th March 2027 – 11.30am
This is the day of the Spring Court and Automotive Awards Dinner, so a chance to get your Freedom of the City and be clothed as a Liveryman the same evening at the splendid Goldsmiths’ Hall.

Please pass any requests for bookings to these ceremonies or suggested new members to the Clerk (clerk@coachmakers.co.uk) and we will do the rest.