Master’s message May 2024

Well, what a busy time it has been since I wrote my last message.

An exciting development at the end of last month was the confirmation of our new Clerk for the next Livery year. As you know, our gallant and learned Clerk, Commander Mark Leaning RN, is stepping down at the end of the current Livery year, after 12 years of outstanding service. Anyone who knows Mark, and in particular those who have had the privilege to serve as Master, will understand what a hard act he will be to follow. We will recognise his enormous contribution at a later stage, but suffice it to say he has contributed hugely to the fortunes of the Company, and earned himself an enviable reputation throughout the Livery movement.

I have been part of the Clerk Recruitment Working Group, along with the Senior, Renter and Junior Wardens, the IPM Julian Leach and PM Sarah Sillars, chaired by PM Richard Charlesworth. We decided in December last to appoint Marylebone Executive Search (MES) to manage the recruitment process on our behalf, but with the close involvement of the team. You will be impressed to know that the search process run by MES, whose Director Richard Evans is a Past Master Educator, produced no less than 51 written applications, such is the reputation of the Coachmakers. MES whittled the applicants down to a shortlist of 17 by interview, which we then reduced to seven candidates for the team to interview.

We had a fascinating two days of interviews. All seven candidates were excellent, though three candidates stood out, each of whom would make an excellent Clerk. Eventually we agreed unanimously on Lieutenant Colonel Craig Hallatt as our preferred candidate who we felt would fit in to our company perfectly.

I am looking forward to introducing Craig to the Court at the Summer Court Meeting, and to those attending the dinner at Saddlers’ Hall afterwards, on 11th July.

Craig is ending his 38-year career with the army being in command of all aspects of the army’s music, so has many years of experience in the ceremonial aspects of the military. His CV shows the breadth and depth of his experience across many roles within the Army, all of which will, we are sure, serve him well as our new Clerk from September. Craig will join the Company on 1st July to allow the month to be spent with Mark Leaning and Assistant Clerk Lieutenant Commander Rachel Firth, enabling a comprehensive handover process.

I am sure you will join me in congratulating Craig on his appointment, and can look forward to meeting him at Livery events next year.

I will confess to gobbling up several more delightful lunches and dinners as a frequent guest of other Livery Masters and enjoying their wonderful hospitality and learning more about their amazing charitable work, schemes for young people and the like.

Then there was the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace Garden – a delightful day when the sun and His Majesty the King came out to welcome us. I really am aware that the event was not especially laid on for us, but we did feel rather special. His Majesty raised his hat to us, and my husband returned the honour. Such an exciting day!

Then, two days later, off to York to join our northern friends, the Cordwainers of York, for a splendid weekend in their company with other leather related Livery Companies from London, to celebrate the installation of the Master Cordwainer of York. What a beautiful city and what super hospitality. During the weekend we visited York Minster and it was so unbelievably lovely with the sun shining through the many faceted stained glass windows. One really did feel nearer to God therein. And can you believe – it doesn’t seem to rain in York!

Last, but certainly not least, the Banquet. Did you come, were you there? It really was splendid. A lovely evening of fun, laughter, excellent food and wine, fellowship and comradeship, rounded off by four songs from the wonderful Rodney Earl Clark.

I cannot pretend for one minute that the Banquet was anything other than my suggestion. Our Clerk and Assistant Clerk planned it, garnered the necessary support to put it together, managed it, worked with a whole range of others to organise all the component parts and delivered it on the night. It was my pleasure to be a part of it.

Our especially honoured guests, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and the First Sea Lord enjoyed the evening too, as did the many guests who have written to me since. You can read about some of the behind the scenes work necessary to deliver an event of this scale in Rachel’s article featured later in this edition. If you weren’t there, well you missed a great party.