Shrieval Election at Common Hall 24th June

An opportunity to exercise your ancient rights as a Liveryman, followed by a companionable luncheon at the City Livery Club (Little Ship Club).

Tuesday 24th June 2025, meet at 10:45 hrs at Guildhall Yard, Art Gallery entrance, EC4V 7HH.

Afterwards at 13:00 hrs, at the City Livery Club, Bell Wharf Lane, Upper Thames Street, EC4R 3TB.

Dress code: Business attire, Club tie.

Book here: https://wcmpc.wufoo.com/forms/coachmakers-shrieval-election-pass-lunch-2025/

A unique opportunity to exercise our rights as Liverymen at the City of London’s Shrieval election, traditionally prescribed on Midsummer’s Day. The responsibility of electing the Sheriffs has rested with Liverymen since 1475. Walpole’s Election Act of 1725 clarified further that Liverymen must be of one year’s standing from 31st May (2024) to be eligible to vote, and that same requirement remains in force today.

All Liverymen are expected to arrive at the Guildhall in good time in order to be seated by 11.30am at the latest, prior to the Lord Mayor’s arrival. The Lord Mayor and the Aldermen, as well as the High Officers, process into the Great Hall shortly before 12noon. On completion of voting we respond to the Common Cryer with ‘God Save the King’, after which we process out of the Guildhall. Masters wear their gowns.

Our rights exercised, and in the finest tradition of the Coachmakers, we will then retire to the City Livery Club, Thames-side for a glass of something fizzy, followed by a companionable and sumptuous three-course lunch.

Coachmakers are welcome to attend this unique event on a first-come, first-served basis, together with non-Livery guests who may join us for lunch. The cost is just £65 a head, including lunch. A menu pre-selection of three choices per course will be forthcoming.

Shrieval candidates 2025

Robert Charles Hughes-Penney, Alderman and Haberdasher, and Keith David Forbes Bottomley, Citizen and Pattenmaker have been put forward for nomination for aldermanic and non-aldermanic sheriffs in this Midsummer Day Common Hall elections on 24th June, they will each be uncontested.

Robert Hughes Penney is an Investment Director and Deputy Head at Rathbones Group London. A former army officer, Robert is the serving Alderman for the Ward of Cheap, and also Past Master of the Guild of Investment Managers.

Deputy Keith Bottomley is the Deputy Chair of the Corporation’s key Policy and Resources Committee, Keith is also the Master Pattenmaker, and Hon. Secretary of the City Livery Club.

Both candidates have websites and you can visit them here:

https://hughespenney.uk/

https://keithbottomley.city/

Shrieval candidates have an opportunity to address Common Hall prior to the voting and their respective election addresses are available here:

Robert Hughes-Penney
Ald Robert Hughes-Penney address

Deputy Keith Bottomley
Dep Keith Bottomley address