Young Managers

The Pattenmakers renewed their ancient links with the Footwear Industry just over 40 years ago. Consistent with the ethos of the London guilds to train their apprentices, the Young Managers Award Scheme was conceived by Past Master Richard Paice to encourage ambitious young managers to compete for a Pattenmakers’ award.

In November of each year we invite employers to put forward candidates who have shown promise during their training and early employment stages. From those applications we shortlist up to 12 candidates to be interviewed to compete for two awards, the Young Manager Award and the Paice Memorial Bursary.

Each Award runs from March to April and initially commences with the two winners attending the Pattenmakers’ Banquet at the Mansion House in January to receive their citations. The actual awards, the costs of which are funded by the Livery, consist of a training course specifically developed in conjunction with the applicant’s employer and designed to meet both the company and the individual’s needs. The administrator, Annette Cove, has a wealth of experience in the Footwear Industry and has full access to the Pattenmakers’ network of suppliers, manufacturers and retailers to enable the candidates to experience other companies at first hand.

Additionally, award winners are invited to become Freemen of the Livery which entitles them to be granted Freedom of the City of London. In this way, these potential leaders of the future become engaged with the Livery and it is hoped that they may wish to become Liverymen at a later stage.

More recently, the Young Managers’ Award scheme has been extended the other key sector of interest for the Pattenmakers – the facilities management where we have a growing number of members.

The Scheme continues to be a valuable method of maintaining the Livery’s close links with industry and ensuring that young managers are given opportunities to broaden their understanding of the trade.