203. Livery Committee Reception, Grocers’ Hall, 6 June 2024

All Livery Masters and Clerks were invited to this reception.  We were welcomed by the Committee Chairman, Common Councillor Philip Woodhouse (Grocer), who had been elected in June 2017.  The magnificent Grocers’ Hall is a very impressive building and we were very well looked after by the staff.  Not only was my request for a beer met immediately (it had already been a long day), the staff kept me topped up personally.

It was a good opportunity for catching up with many of the Masters and Clerks.

We had an introduction from the Chair of the Livery Committee who described recent initiatives including the new LinkedIn group to connect Livery Companies.  He recognised the independence of the Companies but also encouraged more sharing and collaboration.  He encouraged Companies to report on their activities and share events.

He outlined the activities for the pending Livery Masters’ weekend, including arrangements for group visits behind the scenes to city sites including the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

The incoming Lord Mayor (subject to election) Alderman Alastair King outlined arrangements for his year including encouraging Livery Companies to support the Lord Mayor’s show.  He described the 2025 Livery weekend in Aberdeen, which is currently being organised with a boat trip to an offshore wind turbine field.

I had many interesting discussions with Masters and Clerks on many issues ranging from the recruitment of a clerk to the shortage of plasterers.  Currently we are training 3000 per year when we need 6000.  Since the UK departure from the EU there has been serious skills shortage in this fragmented sector.

Our hosts were very generous with the food and drinks and I was grateful for the walk home in the cool evening.

Thanks to the Grocers and City Livery Committee for a most enjoyable evening.

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