Master Water Conservator

The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers host a regular Monday Luncheon Club for members of all Livery Companies and their guests.   It has become the tradition of City Consorts to hold a New Year’s Lunch at this beautiful hall, tucked away beneath the brutalist architecture of the Barbican – a wonderful surprise when rounding the corner from the old Museum of London roundabout (the City’s only roundabout). The champagne reception in the Drawing Room was a lively affair, with people delighted to mingle again after the Christmas break, to renew old acquaintances, and to make new ones – for the membership of City Consorts is constantly changing and growing, welcoming new Consorts and new future Consorts.   It was a pleasure to meet a former Consort of the Cutlers of Hallamshire venturing south. At 60 or so (mostly female) diners, City Consorts took up most of the Dining Hall, with a few (male) Ironmongers seeking refuge on a separate table.   Our seating plan was totally r...

We gathered together to acknowledge the life of Sir Hugh Myddelton, a clothmaker, entrepreneur, mine-owner, goldsmith, banker and self-taught engineer. He was the driving force behind the construction between 1608 and 1613 of the New River, to bring clean water 60 kilometres south from the River Lea, near Ware, in Hertfordshire, to the City of London.   We also commemorated the Granting of our Livery in 2000. Our grateful thanks to the Revd Katherine Hedderly, Vicar of All Hallows by the Tower and our Chaplain, for organising the Myddelton Service for the Rededication of the Company Cross, and the Members of the Company. The Gospel reading was of the Samaritan women who goes to draw water and shares it.   Katherine shared personal experience of water, the damage caused by water, the power of water and the need for sharing. Katherine has recently been appointed Archdeacon of Charing Cross for the Two Cities Area of the Diocese of London. This means that she will be l...

  A number of Livery Company Masters were invited to the Barbican Hall for the Graduation ceremony at which the Rt Hon The Lord Mayor Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli was installed as Rector of City University of London. We assembled in the Garden Room, which true to its name is attached to a garden in the heart of the Barbican centre.   The Garden is totally enclosed and while it was raining outside there was a short tropical rainfall inside. It was fascinating catching up with university academics and Livery Masters.   Before and over lunch I had a long discussion with Professor Sir Anthony Finkelstein, President of City, about student numbers, managing courses and the profile and background and aspirations of their students.   We were concerned about the numbers taking engineering and other technical and science degrees, especially UK-based students.   Talking with the Master Constructor we debated the challenges facing the construction industry, inc...

As Master of the Water Conservators I had the great pleasure to be invited to the Court Dinner of the Scientific Instrument Makers along with the Master Farmer and the Master Mariner (Master Water Conservator, Scientific Instrument Maker and Mariner above).   I was warmly welcomed by members of the Company and we had fascinating discussions on the monitoring of water quality in rivers and the discharges from sewage works, farming and industry.   We also discussed the management of data and communications with the public. The Master gave an entertaining introduction to the Company, its activities and the guests. Over dinner I had a great conversation with an Australian academic on the challenges and changes faced there in the increasing extremes of too much and too little water.   He observed that relatively speaking we have it easy in the UK.   We then talked about valuing water and the resistance to water metering and even water rates.   He and his wife g...

This webinar was presented by John Knights, Chairman of LeaderShape Global.  He described how poli ti cians and business leaders around the world are failing to get to grips with the climate crises with the resulting increasing damage to our environment.   He said that we need a new kind of leader for the future that cannot only engage with and motivate their people but also bring their own values to full consciousness in all they do. He identified how we can develop the right type of leader and the need to get them to the top of organisations where they can address the environmental challenges we face. He described the transition towards awareness leadership and ethical leadership. His description of leadership styles encouraged us all to think of the characteristics of our current leaders and aspiring leaders.   It gave us an insight into not only their personalities but also the type of organisation they create and work within.   He warned us that w...