Master’s message October 2025

Hello fellow Coachmakers,

I have had a busy but fascinating first two months in my year as your Master, enjoying meeting some of our hard working committees, participating in some of the ancient City traditions, attending a STEM day at Brooklands, and being entertained at some of the astonishing Livery halls the City is famous for.

I joined Chairman Sir Kevin Leeson and the Membership Committee team for their first meeting of the year, after which we entertained several aspiring Coachmakers to dinner at Guildhall to determine their suitability for election. It demonstrated the outstanding calibre of individuals from various backgrounds who would like to join our Livery, and the committee is to be congratulated. We set an ambition in the run up to our 350th year to achieve a membership of 500, a target I am confident can be reached during next year.

I met with the Communications Committee under the Chairmanship of Lyn Litchfield which has grown in strength and capability, and is providing a wider and greater understanding and appreciation for what we do to support young people coming into our industries, including increasing use of social media.

The Senior Warden chaired a meeting of the 350th Committee which is making excellent progress planning for our ‘big’ year next year. There are a lot of great initiatives gathering pace which you will hear more about as this year progresses.

The Financial Working Group, formed under PM Julian Leech to oversee the change to our accounting processes, continues to support the smooth roll out of these changes, assisting the Clerk and Assistant Clerk in their interaction with members of the Livery.

I was able to see the progress the Fundraising team under Chairman David Barratt is making to provide a consistent and reliable source of funding to keep our charitable fund healthy and able to support the good work we undertake.

I also enjoyed meeting the Livery Committee under Richard Robinson’s expert Chairmanship planning some exciting visits and experiences throughout this year, which will be broadcast via Coachlines and email alerts, and which I would warmly encourage you to support.

The Appointments Committee had a very productive session looking to the future to recruit some of the many talented members of the Livery to join committees to further our charitable ambitions, and ensure we have great individuals to be considered for the role of Master in the future.

I joined members of the Charity Committee, under the Chairmanship of Eric Wallbank, at Brooklands Museum to support the latest STEM day where school children from more than 20 schools aged 11-16 came to be immersed in science, technology, engineering and maths with a fascinating presentation from Professor Brian Cox, one of the instigators of the annual Innovation Academy. The students visited the Coachmakers’ Room where they were challenged by the Coachmakers’ team, including Deputy Chairman Roger Woodbridge, Assistant Nick Lyford, Freeman Ellie Bacon and Liveryman Andrew Blatherwick, to design and build electric buggies to traverse the surface of Mars.

I have to add that I have enjoyed representing the Livery at lunches or dinners at Goldsmiths’ Hall, Saddlers’ Hall, Vintners’ Hall, and it is good to hear how highly regarded the Coachmakers is within the Livery fraternity.

Finally, and very importantly, I have taken part in some of the historic traditions of The City, including with my wife Zoë and other Coachmakers when we drove some very well-fed sheep over Southwark Bridge, and attended the Election of the first Lady Mayor at The Guildhall. It is truly moving to part of something so historic.

In closing, I am happy to report that the forthcoming Aerospace Dinner at Barber-Surgeons Hall on 13th November is a sell-out with a waiting list, so if my plea to you to engage with the Livery and attend at least one dinner a year has stimulated some action, then thank you. Book early next time to avoid disappointment.
I hope to see you soon, if not at the Dinner then perhaps at the Carol Service and Supper on 11th December.

Richard Charlesworth MVO

Master