2025

Award Winner

Jo Mabbutt (Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers)

….. for her contribution to the Livery Companies Skills Council and the Livery Companies Apprenticeship Scheme, and specifically her leadership in the development and delivery of the Apprenticeship Scheme, and her stewardship of the Master Certificate Scheme, which this year extended to 19 Livery Companies awarding 66 certificates of excellence presented by the Lord Mayor at a ceremony at Mansion House.

Jo Mabbutt was presented with her Root & Branch medal by the Lord Mayor, Alastair King, and the President of the City Livery Club, Alderman Professor Emma Edhem, at the Club’s Civic Banquet.

Lifetime Achievement Award

David Barrett

…… was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the City Civic over many years, in particular his contribution as Secretary to the Fellowship of Clerks between 2016 and 2023, during which time he introduced many new initiatives, including mentoring workshops and an electronic monthly newsletter. During the same period, he served on the Livery Committee and was instrumental in the Committee taking responsibility for the annual Garden of Remembrance Service after the withdrawal of the Royal British Legion. For the past 10 years, as the box office manager, David has also supported the annual “Trial & Error” performances at the Old Bailey, which have raised over £310,000 for the Sheriffs’ & Recorder’s Fund.

David Barrett was presented with his award by the Lord Mayor, Alastair King, and the President of the City Livery Club, Alderman Professor Emma Edhem, at the Club’s Civic Banquet.

2024

Winner

Dr Karen Watts (Worshipful Company of Gold & Silver Wyre Drawers)

….. for her contribution as Curator & Designer of the highly successful Treasures of Gold & Silver Wire exhibition that was staged in the Guildhall Art Gallery in the autumn of 2023. Many from across the Livery, and others, commented favourably after visiting the exhibition during its extended display.

Dr Watts receives her Award from the the Lord Mayor Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli (right) and the President of the City Livery Club Alan Cook.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Mr John Taylor MBE (Carpenters’ Company)

…. for his contribution over many years to craft apprenticeships through his Chairmanship of the Livery Companies Skills Council and as founding Director of the Livery Companies Apprenticeship Scheme.

Mr Taylor receives his Award from the the Lord Mayor Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli (right) and the President of the City Livery Club Alan Cook.

2023

Winner

Mr Michael Hockney MBE (Musicians Company)

….. for his contribution to the success of the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch. The panel was extremely impressed by the results for the 2023 Lunch which raised £435,000, far exceeding previous years.

Michael Hockney receives his Award from the Lord Mayor, Nicholas Lyons, at the Club’s Civic Banquet on 4th July 2023

2022

Winner

The Livery Kitchen Initiative

….. for a collaboration of five kitchens, four from Livery Companies (Grocers, Drapers, Fishmongers and Merchant Taylors) and Party Ingredients, supported by the Hackney Driver Carriages to deliver 174,000 meals to four hospitals and 16 East London communities during the pandemic.

Livery Kitchen Initiative representatives received their awards during a Civic Banquet at Mansion House on 22 July 2022 – Phil McCarthy Photography

Lifetime Achievement Award

To Richard Humphries MBE, a Liveryman and Past Upper Bailiff of the Weavers’ Company,

…. for his support over 35 years of Livery membership in engaging with the Weavers craft, training the next generation of Weavers, charitable efforts and ensuring the Livery movement’s relevance to modern industry.

The Lord Mayor Vincent Keaveny and Club President Shai Umradia presented Richard Humphries with his award at a Civic Banquet in Mansion House on 22 July 2022 – Phil McCarthy Photography

Highly Commended Certificate

To Paul Rochford a Liveryman and Past Master of the Gardeners’ Company

….. for his charitable support, in particular to the biennial Red Cross Fair and for supporting the creation of the gardens in Guildhall Yard.

The Lord Mayor Vincent Keaveny and Club President Shai Umradia presented Paul Rochford with his certificate at a Civic Banquet in Mansion House on 22 July 2022 – Phil McCarthy Photography

2021

Awards were not made in 2021 due to the pandemic.

2020

Lifetime Achievement Award

To HRH The Princess Royal (Worshipful Company of Farriers and Honorary Member of the City Livery Club)

….. for a long history of engagement and involvement with several Livery Companies of the City of London.

HRH The Princess Royal attended a Civic Luncheon on 7 July 2021 where she was presented with her Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo – Sam Long

2019

Winner

Peter French MBE (Security Professionals)

….. for initiating the Sheriffs’ Award for Bravery, establishing the Register of Chartered Security Professionals through the Livery’s Royal Charter, and for many years’ fundraising work.

Lord Mayor Locum Tenens Ald. Sir David Wootton, with President Dr Trevor Brignall, presents Peter French MBE with his Award – Clive Totman photography

Lifetime Achievement Award

Hugh Adams (Blacksmiths)
….. for over 30 years’ support for the blacksmith’s craft, and for encouraging working blacksmiths to achieve their goals.

Lord Mayor Locum Tenens Ald. Sir David Wootton, with President Dr Trevor Brignall, presents Hugh Adams with his award. Photo credit Clive Totman photography

Highly Commended

John Blauth (Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers)
….. for supporting and encouraging young people to enter into the automotive, aerospace and coachbuilding industries, including through wide dissemination of the Coachmakers’ Engineering Guide.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is John-Blauth-presentation-1400x1056.jpg — Lord Mayor Locum Tenens Ald. Sir David Wootton, with President Dr Trevor Brignall, presents John Blauth with his Award

Company Award

In 2019 the Club was also delighted to make a special Company Award to the Worshipful Company of Poulters

….. for increasing public awareness of the Livery, raising funds, and providing entertainment through holding the annual Inter-Livery Pancake Race at Guildhall.

Past President Paul Herbage and Past President Ald. Alison Gowman present Master Poulter David Walker, Court Assistant Liz Garner, and Clerk Julie Pearce with their Award.

2018

Winner

Reginald Brown was nominated by the Worshipful Company of Insurers

….. for exceptional leadership in supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to work in professional careers in the City.

Representative Lord Mayor Ald. Sir Andrew Parmley presents Reg Brown with his Root & Branch Award medal – Michael O’Sullivan Photography

Highly Commended

Bill Clark was nominated by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen

….. for establishing the annual Sheep Drive over London Bridge as a successful means of raising funds for charity and increasing the profile of the Livery.

Sheriff Neil Redcliffe presenting Bill Clark with his Highly Commended Certificate – Michael O’Sullivan Photography

2017

Winner

Keith Lawrey was nominated by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers

….. for his invaluable advice to more than 25 Livery Companies on petitioning for their respective Royal Charters.

Keith Lawrey with the Lord Mayor, Ald. Sir Andrey Parmley, and President Ald. John Garbutt – Gerald Sharp Photography Photo credit: Gerald Sharp Photography

Lifetime Achievement Award

Penrose Halson was nominated by the Worshipful Company of Turners of London

….. for a long history of commitment to the Livery including the creation of the biennial “Wizardry in Wood” exhibition.

Penrose Halson with the Lord Mayor, Ald. Sir Andrew Parmley, and President Ald. John Garbutt – Gerald Sharp Photography Photo by Gerald Sharp Photography

Highly Commended

John Taylor was nominated by the Worshipful Company of Carpenter

….. for his 10 years of service as Chairman of the Livery Companies Skills Council and, in particular, for the impetus he gave to the development of the Livery Companies Apprenticeship Scheme.

Highly Commended Award recipient John Taylor MBE, with Alistair Gregory-Smith, Master Carpenter, President Ald. John Garbutt, and Chairman of the Award Committee Ald. Alison Gowman – Gerald Sharp Photography

2016

Winner

Paul Jagger (Information Technologists)

….. for tirelessly promoting the Livery through writing “The City of London Freeman’s Guide” and using social media.

President John MacCabe and Mr Paul Jagger. Photo – Clive Totman

Highly Commended Award

The Highly Commended certificate was awarded to Robert Heathfield (Constructors’ Company)

….. for the development and running of a programme of scholarships for young professionals in the construction industry.

L to R: Ald. Alison Gowman, President John MacCabe and Robert Heathfield. Photo – Clive Totman

2015

Winner

Since 1994 Phil Davis Past Master, Hackney Carriage Drivers

….. as Chairman of the Children’s Magical Taxi Tour organising committee, Phil was the driving force behind the annual trip which takes seriously ill children and their families to Disneyland Paris.

L to R: Mrs Adele Davis, Mr Phil Davis, President Ald. Sir David Wootton, Lady Wootton, Mr Malcolm Paice, Master, Hackney Carriage Drivers. Photo – Tony Lofts

2014

Winner

Tom Ilube (Information Technologists)

….. helped transform a failing school into one rated “outstanding” by OFSTED in 2013, and was a prime mover in working with the Mercers’ Company to found and fund the Hammersmith Academy.

Tom Ilube receiving his Award from Honorary Club Member HRH The Princess Royal at the Club’s Centenary Banquet in June 2014

Lifetime Achievement Award

Geoffrey Bond OBE, Past Master Glaziers

….. in recognition of his long history of commitment to the Livery. This included initiatives across Livery Companies such as the “Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker” exhibition during the Diamond Jubilee, and a project to mark the anniversary of the King James Bible that included a major literacy initiative with school children.

Geoffrey Bond receiving his Award from HRH The Princess Royal

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