Election Court installs 347th Master and marks the start of another Livery year

As is tradition, the Election Court meeting to vote in the new Master was again held at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall, followed by the Installation and Service of Thanksgiving in St James Garlickhythe. On 2nd September 2024, in the late afternoon of a glorious autumn day, the Court elected and installed Stephen Fitz-Gerald as the 347th Master since King Charles II graciously bestowed upon the Coachmakers’ Company its Royal Charter on 31st May 1677.

Court members, and members of the wider Livery and their guests, were invited to attend the Election Court Meeting at Tallow Chandlers’ Hall before proceeding to St James, Garlickhythe for the Installation and Service of Thanksgiving led by Canon Jeremy Haselock, Honorary Chaplain to the Coachmakers’ Company. Music during the service was provided by the choir of St James, Garlickhythe under the musical direction of Honorary Liveryman Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley. On conclusion of the Service, the Master led the Court and guests back to Tallow Chandlers’ Hall for a reception in the courtyard before dinner.

Our new Master Coachmaker Stephen was joined by his wife Beverley, their son Matthew and granddaughter Evie. Besides being a Liveryman, Stephen’s last role was Group Managing Director Maritime & Land at QinetiQ. Prior to that, he was CEO of the Marshall Defence and Aerospace Group, President of Cobham Aviation Services Division, and Group Commercial Director for BAE Systems Avionics. In his first speech as the 347th Master, Stephen announced the theme for his year – Fellowship, Friendship, Fundraising and Fun.

This Election Court and dinner was also the first major event which took place under the leadership of our newly appointed Clerk, Lt Col Craig Hallatt. Every element of the Election Court, reception and dinner ran smoothly and seamlessly that one would assume Craig has been with us forever.

While serving as Principal Director of Music British Army and leading an organisation of 600 professional military musicians before joining us as Clerk, Craig was responsible for the entirety of army music from bagpipes to bugles and everything in-between. No wonder he was able to invite Lt Colonel Ewen Stuart AAC to entertain us during the dinner with the pipes.

All in all, it was a splendid afternoon and evening, an occasion rich in tradition and full of joy.