Committees

The Court

Court, Committees and Appointments 2024 – 2025

The Master
Stephen Fitz-Gerald

Senior Warden
Richard Charlesworth MVO

Renter Warden
Mark Broadbent (to be the Master in the 350th anniversary year 2026/27)

Junior Warden
William Dastur

Court of Assistants and Voting Members

Past Master The Hon Michael Callaghan
Past Master Ian Smith
Past Master Michael Kimber
Past Master Martin Payne
Past Master Lionel Anthony Edwards
Past Master Graham Cole CBE
Past Master Sarah-Jane Adams-Diffey
Past Master Sarah Sillars OBE
Past Master Julian Leach
Immediate Past Master Bettine Evans
Assistant Eric Wallbank
Assistant Giles Taylor
Assistant Graeme Hunt
Assistant Rt Hon Mark Garnier OBE MP
Assistant Alderman Alastair King
Assistant Lyn Litchfield
Assistant Rakesh Sharma OBE

Honorary Assistant Lesley Upham (with voting rights)
Honorary Assistant Richard Robinson (with voting rights)

Non-Voting Members

Steward Robert Wilson
Steward Neil Sheath
Steward Sir Kevin Leeson KCB CBE
Steward Roger Woodbridge
Steward Dr David Cole
Steward Peter Ruddock CB CBE
Steward David Connor

Past Master Timothy Connolly OBE
Past Master Richard Dallimore
Past Master David Shalit MBE
Past Master Andrew Ferguson
Past Master Peter Sparks
Past Master Robert Croall
Past Master Admiral Sir Derek Reffell KCB
Past Master The Hon. Roy Constantine
Past Master Group Captain Marcus Wills CVO OBE
Past Master Roger Smith
Past Master Andrew Love
Past Master Michael Davis
Past Master Dr. Stephen Hammerton
Past Master Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence KCVO CB ADC (Father of the Livery)

Past Master Emeritus
Past Master the Rev Patrick O’Ferrall OBE

Footnote:
A quorum of the Court shall comprise three members of the voting membership of which one must be the Master or a Warden (The Charter). The Court shall comprise a Master, three Wardens and 23 Assistants (The Charter). To maintain the Court voting strength in accordance with the Charter Past Masters shall serve as a voting Court Assistant for a maximum of 15 years from the date of their becoming Immediate Past Master. Thereafter they will become Honorary (non-voting) Assistants (Court Meeting 5th July 1999). An Assistant may defer progression to Junior Warden by a maximum of two years subject to the approval of the Court. (Court Meeting 24th November 2005). The status of Past Master Emeritus enables Past Masters on request to withdraw from Livery membership but retain a record of their position and status in the Company without incurring a membership cost. All the benefits of membership are relinquished but the individual remains on the annual Coachmaker Directory distribution list. (Court Meeting 22nd March 2017). To ensure a coherent progression to the Chair, the Master of the year will periodically review the progress of Assistants such that with seven years to run before election to Master each Assistant will formally have had the opportunity to discuss their progress with the Master of that year; this should be considered as a confidence check for both parties. (Court Meeting 7th March 2017). The Father of the Livery was established to serve for a non-fixed term dependent upon discussion between the incumbent and the Master of the year. The role is to act as a focal point for the Past Masters and enable a conduit for communication between the Master and Wardens and the collegiate experience of the Past Master cadre. (Court Meeting 15th July 2020).

Finance & General Purposes Committee

The Finance and General Purposes Committee advises the Court on all matters pertaining to the operational, administrative and financial business of the livery.

The Master – Chairman
Senior Warden
Renter Warden
Junior Warden
Past Master Ian Smith – Trustee, Chairman of the Trustee & Investment Committee
Past Master Michael Kimber – Trustee
Past Master Martin Payne – Trustee
Immediate Past Master – Bettine Evans
Assistant Eric Wallbank – Chairman, Charity Committee
Honorary Assistant Richard Robinson – Chairman, Livery Committee
Assistant Rakesh Sharma OBE – Chairman, Membership Committee
Assistant Lyn Litchfield – Chairman, Communications Committee
Steward Robert Wilson FCA – Accountant
The Clerk – Secretary

Three to be a quorum, one of which must be The Master or a Warden – The Charter.

Progression Committee

The Progression Committee makes recommendations to the Court on the selection of Liverymen for appointment as Assistants or Stewards to the Court and on their progression through membership and chairmanship of committees to Junior Warden and The Master.

The Master – Chairman
The Immediate Past Master
Senior Warden
Renter Warden
Junior Warden
Chairman of the Livery Committee
Chairman of the Membership Committee
Chairman of the Charity Committee
Chairman of the Communications Committee
The Clerk (ex officio)

Trustee & Investment Committee

The Investment Committee manages the investment of the Coachmakers’ charitable funds to achieve maximum long-term growth commensurate with meeting annual income objectives. It also advises the Court in respect of the invested Livery reserves.

Senior Trustee – Chairman
The Master (ex officio)
The two other Trustees
The Renter Warden (ex officio)
The Clerk – Secretary

There shall be a Chairman, three Trustees and the ex officio membership of the Master, Renter Warden and Clerk. Non ex officio members shall serve for three years with the possibility of an extension to six years. Four full members shall be a quorum.

Trustees
The Trustees have general responsibility for ensuring that the Charitable objectives are met and advising The Court in that regard. The Trustees have particular responsibility for ensuring that the Charity Accounts and Charitable work of the Livery fully meets the requirements of the Charity Commission. There will be a minimum of three Trustees selected and approved by the Court from the cadre of Past Masters who, will normally serve for three two-year terms, retiring by rotation. The Trustees will elect one of their number to act as Senior Trustee.

Livery Committee

The Livery Committee is responsible for planning and implementing, with the Senior Warden, an annual, informal social programme and for making proposals to the Finance and General Purposes Committee on those companies it considers deserving of consideration for the Livery’s annual ‘Award to Industry’.

Honorary Assistant Richard Robinson – Chairman
The Master (ex officio)
The Senior Warden (ex officio)
Liveryman Richard Haycocks
Liveryman Shawn Manning
Liveryman Martin Derrick
Steward Roger Woodbridge
Steward David Connor
Liveryman Nick Lyford
Liveryman Simon Gurney
Liveryman David Manchester
Secretary – position vacant
The Clerk (ex officio)

The Committee comprises a Chairman, a Secretary and up to 15 Liverymen. The Committee Chair is recommended by the Progression Committee and approved by the Court for an initial period of three years, which can be extended for another term of three years. Members of the Committee are not limited to a specific term.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee proposes for the Court’s approval, candidates who, meeting the Company’s membership criteria, have expressed an interest in becoming a Liveryman.

Assistant Rakesh Sharma OBE – Chairman
The Master (ex officio)
Junior Warden (ex officio)
Assistant Rt Hon Mark Garnier OBE MP
Liveryman Peter Ruddock CB CBE
Liveryman Peter Grinsted
Liveryman John Boyes
Liveryman David Pitchforth
Liveryman Chris Sturgess
Freeman Callum Parker (Asst Secretary)
The Clerk (ex officio) (Secretary)

The Committee comprises a Chairman, a Secretary and a number of Liverymen and Freemen at the discretion of the Chairman. The Committee Chair is recommended by the Progression Committee and approved by the Court for an initial period of three years, which can be extended for another term of three years. Members of the Committee are not limited to a specific term.

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee oversees all aspects of Livery communications to promote the fellowship of the Livery and to widely share its many achievements.

Assistant Lyn Litchfield – Chairman, Editor of The Coachmaker, Coachlines, Coachmakers’ Handbook and Website Editor
The Master (ex officio)
Freeman David Barzilay – Deputy Editor of Coachlines & Press Officer
Liveryman Mark Jurd – Secretary & Deputy Editor of the Coachmakers’ Handbook
Liveryman David Barrett
Liveryman Adrian Smith
Freeman Jason Moseley
The Clerk (ex officio)

The Committee comprises a Chairman, a Secretary, an Editor, a Press Officer and a number of Liverymen and Freemen at the discretion of the Chairman. The Committee Chair is recommended by the Progression Committee and approved by the Court for an initial period of three years, which can be extended for another term of three years. Members of the Committee are not limited to a specific term.

Charity Committee

The Charity Committee determines how charitable funds are spent.

The Master (ex officio)
Senior Warden (ex officio)
Past Master Group Captain Marcus Wills CVO OBE
Assistant Giles Taylor
Renter Warden Mark Broadbent
Steward Neil Sheath
Liveryman John Blauth
Liveryman Andrew Blatherwick
Liveryman Nick Lyford
Freeman Ellie Bacon
Freeman Michael Malone
Steward Dr David Cole – Secretary
The Clerk (ex officio)

The Committee comprises a Chairman, a Secretary, a representative from the coachmaking, automotive and aerospace industries, and other Livery members as necessary. A quorum shall be four, of who two should be members of the Court. The Committee Chair is recommended by the Progression Committee and approved by the Court for an initial period of three years, which can be extended for another term of three years. Members of the Committee are not limited to a specific term.

350+ Project Committee

Past Master Graham Cole CBE – Chairman
The Master (ex officio)
Past Master Ian Smith
Renter Warden Mark Broadbent
Assistant Eric Wallbank (Secretary)
Hon. Assistant Lesley Upham
Steward Sir Kevin Leeson KCB CBE
The Clerk (ex officio)

The primary purposes of the 350 Committee is to make plans for the Sesquarcentennial celebrations of the Coachmakers’ Company in 2026/2027 and to raise sufficient funds for the above through events and other activities leading up to 2026/2027. Committee members shall be appointed by the Court but the Committee shall also have the power to appoint assistants from the Livery as required.

Fundraising Committee

Liveryman David Barrett – Chairman
Master (ex officio)
Past Master Graham Cole CBE (Chairman, 350+ Committee)
Assistant Eric Wallbank (Chairman, Charity Committee)
Assistant Rakesh Sharma OBE (Chairman, Membership Committee)
Hon. Assistant Lesley Upham
Liveryman John Fuggles
Liveryman Mike Baunton CBE
Freeman Abbie Carr
Liveryman Nick Williams-Howes (Secretary)
The Clerk (ex officio)

The Coachmaking and Carriage Driving Awards Sub-Committee

Assistant Mark Broadbent – Chairman
The Master (ex officio)
Past Master David Shalit MBE
Past Master Michael Kimber
Liveryman Colonel Toby Browne CVO
Liveryman Richard James
Liveryman Andrew Reid
The Clerk (ex officio)

Automotive Awards Sub-Committee

Assistant Giles Taylor – Chairman
The Master (ex officio)
Past Master Richard Dallimore – Deputy Chairman
Liveryman Jonathan Connolly
Liveryman Ian Callum
Liveryman Michael Quinn

Responsible for Historic Restoration Apprenticeships:

Liveryman Geoff Lancaster
Liveryman Nick Lyford

The Sub-Committee shall have a Chairman and Deputy Chairman and at least two other Liverymen members at the discretion of the Chairman. The Committee Chair is recommended by the Progression Committee and approved by the Court for an initial period of three years, which can be extended for another term of three years. Members of the Committee are not limited to a specific term.

Aerospace Awards Sub-Committee

Steward Neil Sheath – Chairman
The Master (ex officio)
Past Master Martin Payne
Liveryman David Kynaston OBE (Deputy Chairman)
Liveryman Air Commodore Stuart Burdess
Liveryman Jeff Stow
Liveryman Commodore Anthony King RN
Freeman Patryk Nelkowski
Freeman Hugo Cowley

The Sub-Committee shall have a Chairman and Deputy Chairman and at least two other Liverymen members at the discretion of the Chairman. The Committee Chair is recommended by the Progression Committee and approved by the Court for an initial period of three years, which can be extended for another term of three years. Members of the Committee are not limited to a specific term.

Livery Golf Committee

Assistant Graeme Hunt – Chairman
Liveryman Alexander Wrighton – Secretary

Membership of Prince Arthur Cup Inter Livery Golf Society

Liveryman Martin Derrick – Chairman
Liveryman Richard Wormell – Secretary

Livery Shooting

Liveryman Alastair Boyes – Captain

John Pearl 100 Club Co-ordinator

Liveryman Nick Williams-Howes

External Liaison

Universities: Brunel University, City University, Cranfield University, Imperial College London, Kingston University and Queen Mary University London:

Points of Contact: Liveryman John Blauth, Liveryman Nick Lyford, Liveryman Michael Malone, Steward Neil Sheath, Assistant Giles Taylor, Past Master Group Captain Marcus Wills CVO OBE

Livery Schools Link

Liveryman Nick Lyford

City & Guilds

Liveryman John Blauth

Automotive Bursary

Assistant Giles Taylor

Brooklands

Liveryman David Burgess-Wise

Royal College of Art

Assistant Giles Taylor

Liveryman Dale Harrow

Affiliated Service Units

The Clerk

Royal, Honorary, Honoris Causa & Other Memberships

Royal Liverymen

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent
His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent

Honorary Coachmakers

Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, Chairman and Chief Executive, Finmeccanica
Giuseppe Orsi, Chief Executive AgustaWestland
Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar Cars
Wing Commander Andrew Green OBE BA RAF

Alderman Dr Sir Andrew Parley

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa DBE

Alderman Alastair King

Honoris Causa Liverymen of H M Armed Forces

Captain of HMS Hermes

Admiral Sir Derek Reffell KCB

Captains of HMS Boxer

Captain Michael Mansergh, RN
Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, KCVO CB ADC

Captain of HMS Bulwark

Commodore Jerry Stanford BA
Rear Admiral Andrew Burns OBE

Rear Admiral James Parkin

Commanding Officers – No. 10 Squadron

Air Vice Marshal Robert Geoffrey Peters CB
Group Captain Peter Charles Bingham
Group Captain Alan Marcus Wills CVO OBE
Group Captain Gerry Bunn CBE
Wing Commander Leonard James Marshall MBE
Group Captain David Brian Symes FRAeS
Wing Commander Angus Deas RAF MA BSc
Wing Commander Mike Smart MA MCGI

Commanding Officers of Royal Air Force Brize Norton

Air Commodore Malcolm Brecht CBE
Air Commodore Jonathan Ager MA RAF

Group Captain Simon Edwards MA RAF

Commanding Officers of Royal Dragoon Guards

Brigadier Robert John Baddeley
Brigadier Charles Thomas Johnstone Wright
Brigadier Ian Talbot
Brigadier Richard Cary

Brigadier Johnny Torrens-Spence CBE LM

Crown Equerry

Colonel Toby Browne CVO

Honorary Freeman

All partners of Past Masters of the Livery are invited to join the Livery as Honorary Freemen. The following have accepted:
2003 Mrs Jean Gauntlett
2006 Lady Cobham

Companions of the Livery

So that spouses of deceased Liverymen may retain their links with Livery friends, in July 2005 the Court agreed that an individual whose spouse was a full Livery member on their death would be entitled to become a Companion of the Livery. On approval by the Court, the Companion would receive all Livery correspondence and be eligible to attend dinners and functions. A direct debit annual levy will be made to the Company’s Charitable Trust.

Masters of the Company

Clerks of the Company