Meet the Team: 350 Committee

I remember clearly the day when our late and wonderful colleague, Past Master Gerry Bunn, invited me to join the Livery, writes Past Master Graham Cole CBE. I had known Gerry previously, having both spent many years in the world of aerospace. The world of Livery companies was new to me but with his and others careful guidance, my years as a Coachmaker have been years of great enjoyment and friendship.

However, I also remember Gerry and the Livery’s senior officers of the time, working so hard to provide the necessary funds for our Livery to exist and then grow. The recruitment of new Coachmakers was the major part of this work and remains an important aspect through to today. The joint challenges for the Livery of providing for today whilst also preparing for tomorrow maybe less acute today but the dilemma still exists.

The year as Master is for anyone who progresses through the Livery ranks, a year of outstanding experiences and involvement with the highest echelon of the City. We were fortunate to be able to live for my year in the City and be able to attend almost all events. Both Pat and myself look back on a year of special memories, even though adding 10 kilos to my weight was not one of them.

However, one of the experiences I took from my year was the benefit that would be gained if we were able to create a separate and longer term fund to be used for future projects, which the leadership of our Livery at that time would like to undertake, but do not have the funds to support. Hence the concept of 350+ was launched.

350+ will utilise the structures within the Livery to ensure there is clarity on the overall plan for fundraising. In the short term, focus will be on our 350th celebration to ensure we will have a strong year of exciting events. The 350+ project will pick up once 350th is completed.

For this plan to be successful, it needs long term planning and for the leadership of our Livery to be prepared to support an initiative which will only become beneficial some years in the future. I am grateful for the steadfast support and encouragement of our current Master in moving this project forward.

Over recent years, our Livery has made strong progress in raising funds for our charitable work and now for our 350th year. 350+ will provide our future leaders with the opportunity to continue to expand our work in the years to come. As we move forward I hope many Coachmakers will be able to support the project.