Bentley Motors receives Award To Industry

A very happy New Year to all fellow Liverymen and what a lovely way to start 2022, with our Award to Industry Dinner on 20th January, writes Senior Warden Julian Leach. The dinners are the lifeblood of our Livery, and it has been devastating for us not being able to meet in person during 2020/21. We have now had three dinners since September, all deliberately smaller than usual but well attended and growing as people become more confident.

Master & Wardens with our special guests

Past Master Richard Charlesworth was unable to present the Award to Industry during his tenure as Master because of the pandemic, and therefore Master Sarah Sillars OBE decided the award should go to Bentley Motors as planned, this year. It was with great pleasure that we welcomed Chairman and CEO Adrian Hallmark, and Director of Mulliner & Motorsport Paul Williams of Bentley Motors.

Coachmakers were given a real treat as they brought along three magnificent Bentley specimens – a ‘Continuation’ Blower Bentley, a new Continental GT and a vintage Bentley saloon, all magnificently displayed in the small, pretty, and beautifully lit courtyard behind Saddlers’ Hall.

Adrian gave us a fascinating insight into how Bentley Motors is meeting the huge challenges facing the motor industry from climate change, and assured us that Bentley Motors is up to the job and will meet its net zero targets. He then presented the Company with a lovely, mounted model of a current Bentley Continental GTC in the Master’s favourite shade of blue. How did they know?

There was a great atmosphere at the dinner, and a feeling of relief that we are now able to meet again. Unfortunately, the Loving Cup will not be around for a while, but we are a friendly group of people who share common interests and who enjoy meeting our friends in lovely and relaxed surroundings. It is also a great occasion to invite guests. Our next dinner will be the Automotive Industry Dinner at the magnificent Carpenters’ Hall on 24th March. I do hope that growing confidence will mean we can continue to build our numbers back towards pre-Covid norms.