Company Structure

The Master

The Master is an ‘ambassador’ representing the Company in outside activities connected to the Livery, City of London functions and to other Livery companies. He is assisted by the Upper and Renter Wardens, who will deputise for the master in his absence.

The Master supports the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen of City of London in their endeavours. Once every three years the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers takes part in the civic procession Lord Mayor’s Parade in November by ancient tradition.

The Master governs the Livery and with the Wardens and the Court decide on all Company business, ie the income and expenditure of the company. An analogue is that the Master is the Chairman and the Court of the Assistants are the Directors. The day to day running of the Company is the Clerk’s responsibility (Chief Executive Officer). The Court consists of Past Masters and Court Assistants, who often chair the committees. The Master, Wardens and Court Assistants are chosen by the Past Masters and then elected by the Court.

The Master spearheads our Charitable events for the Company with the Chairman of the Fundraising committee and the Court. Fundraising is the major mission of the Company.

The Trade Warden looks after the Companies link to the Trades of bespoke shoe making and facilities management. This appointment is for two years, whereas the Master, Upper Warden and Renter Warden change every year in March.

The Court

The Court makes the decisions for the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers

Honorary Court Members:

Past Masters leaving the court move onto the Honorary Court. They add their expertise to the Court meetings, but they have no vote on Court Matters if the matter is decided by vote.

The Committees

The major committees are Finance and General Purposes, Investment, Fundraising, Education, Charity, Young Pattenmakers and Membership.

The Finance and General Purposes committee deals with every matter concerning the Company’s interest. The Master, Wardens, senior Past Master and the Honorary Treasurer provide the core of the committee, but are joined by other members often with special interest.

The investment committee looks after our monetary investments, gaining advice from an Investment company. The Committee has made substantial progress in increasing the value of our investments.

The fundraising committee provides one of the core reasons for the Pattenmakers. The Committee organises runners for our Golden bond for the London Marathon. This has raised over £200,000 in the last 10 years. There are other fundraising activities, which we from time to time organise.

The Charity Committee monitors our gifts to charitable causes. These cover the provision of bespoke Orthopaedic Footwear, Young Managers, Education, the City of London and Military Affiliations. The orthopaedic footwear covers payment for shoes for people, often without feet and legs and apprentices. On the education, we provide bursaries for the study of bespoke shoe making, City of London Schools and a St Paul’s Chorister. Currently our donations to the military involve providing the opportunities for people to go to camp and to the City of London Air squadron.

The Young Pattenmakers committee aim is the support of Young Pattenmakers. It is to make them feel at home and understand the responsibilities and mores of the Livery Company.

The membership committee encourages new members to join. A prospective candidate is invited to enjoy a Livery dinner with us to meet other members of the Livery.