The Mercers' Company Annual Review 2017

HO N

O O R DE

THE MERCERS’ COMPANY Hall address Mercers’ Hall Ironmonger Lane London EC2V 8HE Telephone +44 (0)20 7776 7200 E-mail info@mercers.co.uk Website www.mercers.co.uk

Annual Review 2017

CONTENTS Annual Review 2017 COMPANY

STEWARDSHIP

Master’s Introduction

04

Almshouse News

19

Clerk’s Introduction

06

Property Overview

20

Becket House and Staff Photo

41

Mercer Walk

22

Whittington College development

24

Trinity Hospital Greenwich

25

Evangeline

28

Lionel Duckett

29

PHILANTHROPY Philanthropy Overview

08

Older People and Housing

09

Church and Communities

10 –12

Young People and Education

13 – 14

Development at St Paul’s School: Completion of Phase 1

16 –17

The Pavilion, St Paul’s Girls’ School

18

St Hilda’s East Community Centre

31

Charities’ Financial Information

46 – 47

Company Financial Information

48 – 49

ARMED FORCES Affiliation with the RAF

26

FELLOWSHIP

The Charter 600 Charity

30

The Lord Mayor’s Show

32 – 33

Financial City Walk

34

Boat Race

35

Great XII Sailing and Great XII Quiz

36

Inter Livery Skiing, Shoot and Real Tennis 37 Choir, Golf, Netball and Cricket

38 – 39

West Country and Scottish Regional Events

40

Membership

43

Court Obituaries

44

CREDITS

Annual Review Credits

50

T H E M E R C E R S ’ C O M PA N Y 3

MASTER’S INTRODUCTION COMPANY It is a huge honour and privilege to be Master of the Mercers’ Company. It is a hectic but immensely rewarding year, which, even for those who know the Company and the City well, can still be surprising.

John Roderick Graham Master 2017–18 I hope that in reading this Annual Review of the Mercers’ Company you will discover more about the Mercers’ and especially our philanthropic activities, of which we are very proud.

The role of a Livery Company Master is threefold. Firstly, and most visibly, he or she, is the head of their Company taking a leading part in the traditions and ceremony of their own Livery and also the wider City Community.

The survival of these traditions is unique in Europe and most famous of all is the Lord Mayor’s Show. I was lucky that it was the turn of the Mercers’ Company Master to ride in the carriage of the Twelve Great Livery Companies in the Show.

More importantly, though, this year the Company also had a float manned by many of our Members in the procession.

The float celebrated Richard (Dick) Whittington, probably the most famous Mercer of all time and certainly one of its 4 ANNUAL REVIEW 2017

greatest philanthropists; even if to the general public he’s often thought of only as a pantomime character. Hopefully we’ve helped to dispel some of the myths!

There have, however, been many other events. As a guest of the Dyers’ Company I’ve taken part in the centuries old tradition of Swan Upping on the River Thames and I’ve made my own little piece of Mercer history by becoming the first Master Mercer to take part in the annual Inter-Livery pancake races!

Secondly, the Master leads the business of the Company, as Chairman of its governing body – the Court of Assistants. As the Clerk explains, this year has seen the completion of new strategies in our three key areas of Philanthropy, Fellowship and Stewardship fulfilling work started by my two predecessors as Master. Alongside this, the Court and its Committees have done a great deal of work to utilise its assets prudently, but effectively, to ensure the Company’s continued financial health and maintain a steady flow of money into its philanthropic work.

Finally, but perhaps most importantly a Livery Company Master is a cheerleader and ambassador for the good work done by their Company. It is with great pleasure that I’ve explained to the wider world how the Company continues to manage, cherish and develop responsibilities given to us many years, if not centuries, ago.

In the case of Trinity Hospital Greenwich, St Paul’s School and Whittington College these are duties which the Company has fulfilled for over 400, 500 and 600 years respectively.

After a pause whilst our strategies were reviewed, our grant giving programmes are back underway. Some of our earlier grants have also come to fruition this year. However, it is not just about money. We encourage all of our Members to give of themselves whether

it be serving within the Company or with one of its associated organisations.

For many years I was a Mercer appointed governor of Culloden Primary School in the East End. With pupils from an extraordinarily diverse range of backgrounds, it faces many challenges but achieves a great deal. It gave me great pleasure to go back to the School as Master to talk about my role, as well as seeing the playground equipment provided by the Company put to good use.

New volunteering opportunities have also opened up through the Company’s partnership with St Hilda’s East Community Centre also in east London. Rooms have been painted, plants potted and, thanks to the immediate past Mistress Mercer, cookery lessons led.

Within these pages you will find many more examples of the vibrant and philanthropic life of the Mercers’ Company. In common with our fellow Livery Companies, in our present age of commercial and political uncertainty, it is reassuring to be part of the continuing heritage and legacy of the Livery. Not just in the physical fabric of our buildings or our long-standing traditions, but in our purpose, values and charitable activities which we invest in the continued health, and strength, of our communities.

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CLERK’S INTRODUCTION COMPANY Since I joined as Clerk in August 2015, there has been considerable development in the life and work of the Company and I am thrilled at the progress we have made across all our areas of operation. I am delighted to share this work with you in what is a renewed and reinvigorated annual review.

Rob Abernethy Clerk Our people; Company Members and staff, are without doubt our biggest asset and allow us to excel in so many areas whilst remaining both relevant and appropriate in a society that is moving perhaps more quickly than ever.

At our core we are a Livery Company, involved in many different activities and over the last two years we have developed and consolidated strategies across our three areas of Philanthropy, Stewardship and Fellowship which define the Company’s work. These strategies will allow us to continue to celebrate our history and heritage but at the same time be alive to the world that we now inhabit and, most importantly, allow us to make a real and positive difference to the communities we are part of. They allow us to balance innovation with tradition and to be risk aware rather than risk averse.

Our Philanthropy framework has taken the Company back to its charitable roots in providing education for the young, housing for the elderly and support for the church. The majority of our philanthropy has been consolidated in three main programmes of Young People & Education, Older People & Housing and Church & Communities. These allow the Company to continue to fulfil its historic charitable obligations whilst providing a jumping off point, allowing it to make more broadly based positive change in a way that is relevant and effective in the 21st Century. It has also provided us with a clearer insight into 6 ANNUAL REVIEW 2017

how the Company’s philanthropy is split between operational areas and grant making and also highlighted the need to better celebrate and support the direct philanthropic work undertaken by our Members.

2017 saw the opening of a new Church and Community Centre, St Francis at the Engine Room in Tottenham Hale. This is a perfect example of a project that the Company became involved with through its historic links with the Diocese of London but is also delivering benefits to the whole of its community. The Company has continued to support the Schools Enterprise Competition providing opportunities for Academy pupils to compete against each other in a high profile ‘dragons den’ style event. The format of the competition provides great opportunities for Members of the Company to directly pass on their expertise as mentors to groups of pupils devising potential new commercial projects. The Company has also continued its commitment to mental health and well-being through programmes combatting loneliness amongst both the young and the old.

The Company has been the fortunate recipient of many legacies over the years, most famously that of Richard Whittington whose generosity, thanks to the Company’s management, has grown and continues to do good today – six centuries after the Mercers’ first received it. The Company is keenly aware of the responsibility attached to the assets entrusted to the Company and the Charities of which it is trustee.

Our Stewardship strategy ensures

that they are treated with respect and managed for the long term to ensure a continuing income to fund the philanthropic activities of the Company and its charities.

Much of the Company’s assets are held in property and we continually invest in the estate and this year saw the completion of Mercer Walk, part of the Long Acre Estate in Covent Garden. This project is the latest stage in a long term programme of renewal and improvement of the Company’s property holding in the area; refurbishing old buildings, creating new ones, investing in new public art and opening up spaces for all.

The Company’s operational properties have also had major work and improvements to them. Amongst the Company’s almhouses, Mercers House in Islington has had its windows replaced and Lady Mico’s Almshouse has gained a new conservatory.

Whittington College in East Grinstead, part of that 600 year old legacy of Richard Whittington, now has 14 new one bedroom bungalows and a fantastic new communal centre for its residents. In addition Mercers’ Hall, the Company’s physical home in the City, underwent a significant refurbishment over the summer of 2017 with additional facilities in the adjacent 6 Frederick’s Place opening in March 2018. This work has made the Hall much more attractive as a venue whether as a stage for the Company’s events, a philanthropic tool for Charities to use at a heavy discount, for their fundraising functions or simply as a facility for other organisations who

the Company for years, and those who have joined more recently. 2017 saw a change in our working environment, as the majority of staff moved into a modern open-plan office, allowing us to work more openly, efficiently and above all communicate and collaborate more effectively.

The following pages aim to present a real flavour of the depth and diversity of the Mercers’ Company’s activities in its core areas of Philanthropy, Fellowship and Stewardship. As you will discover, we are forward facing, attuned to the modern world and look to the future, yet always conscious of the Company’s historic responsibilities and heritage.

by hiring the Hall contribute to what the Company can put back into its philanthropy.

Our Members lie at the heart of everything we do and it is through the new Fellowship Strategy that the Company supports and serves its Members. Our Members devote enormous amounts of time, expertise and effort to the Company; as School Governors, Committee members and through volunteering. This generosity is central to the Company and its success and it is the Fellowship Strategy which provides the platform for the Members to interact, both with their Company and each other.

I must also thank the staff team for their contribution to the Company’s work, both those who have been with T H E M E R C E R S ’ C O M PA N Y 7

PHILANTHROPY OVERVIEW PHILANTHROPY Philanthropy has played a central role in the life of the Mercers’ Company since its foundation in 1394.

Education, general welfare and care for the elderly, the church, and, more recently, heritage and the arts have been the core of that philanthropy.

Young People & Education A good start in life is essential and our programmes include some support for the very youngest children. Our experience is in helping children achieve their potential through school and in communities and extends to helping young people through challenging transitions in their lives.

2017 saw over 80 Members helping refresh and update the Philanthropy Strategy for a new era. The new strategy aims to reflect the Charities’ rich history and anticipate challenges for the future, and places people at its heart, particularly those living in some of the most disadvantaged parts of London, the East and North East of England.

Our purpose is nurturing aspirations and investing in opportunities to create positive change so that everyone has the potential to lead a fulfilling life.

Above: Opening of the Engine Room and St Francis’ Church

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The following principles have been defined to help guide what the Charities’ do: —

—

— —

Use our assets wisely and creatively for positive change in people’s lives, now and in the future Make the most of our longevity and independence Build strong relationships and partnerships Make knowledgeable decisions based on evidence and clarity of purpose

The new programmes focus on three areas which are supported by cross cutting themes bringing synergy and coherence across those programmes.

Older People & Housing We recognise that many people need extra support in older age but can also bring huge benefits into communities through their experience, wisdom and time.

Our Strategy recognises both the challenges and assets of ageing.

Church & Communities We want to support church, faith and secular community-based organisations, enabling more people to come together to deliver positive change, strengthening both personal and community connections and nurturing resilience.

OLDER PEOPLE AND HOUSING PHILANTHROPY Community and friendship has always been at the heart of Mercers’ Company life. Helping people build stronger connections, overcome isolation and enjoy new relationships has been established as an important focus of the philanthropy strategy.

South London Cares Loneliness amongst both older and younger people is a growing problem, which has shown to affect long-term health as well as quality of life. South London Cares, which opened in Southwark and Lambeth in 2014, aims to bring people together to reduce isolation and loneliness.

Following the lead of its sister charity in North London, it supports a growing network of local young professional volunteers and older neighbours who get together in social clubs to interact and enjoy a range of events including dinners, games, film nights, gardening and dancing.

In 2015, the Winter Wellbeing project was launched to focus on the most isolating time of the year. It has mobilised young professional volunteers to help their older neighbours stay warm, active, healthy and connected. The Love Thy Neighbour scheme, also launched in 2015, matches individual volunteers with older neighbours one-on-one.

The Mercers’ Company is proud to support South London Cares. In 2015, it made a core grant of £148,650 over a three-year period to support delivery and development of this significant community work.

Left: Reducing loneliness together, Top: Enjoying a dance at South London Cares T H E M E R C E R S ’ C O M PA N Y 9

CHURCH AND COMMUNITIES PHILANTHROPY In 2017, the Mercers’ family of charities supported a wide range of projects, including work at InSpire, Cinnamon Project Lab and the Abbey Community Centre.

InSpire InSpire opened in 2003 in the Crypt of St Peter’s Church in the heart of Walworth in Southwark. The underused space was refurbished to create a community facility for local residents, especially young people and families. An offshoot of InSpire, 2Inspire, followed in 2005 to support 8–25 year olds on the Aylesbury Estate. Both centres provide much needed services for all members of the community in an area going through one of the largest regeneration programmes that London has seen for generations.

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The vibrant youth arts programme offers a wide range of weekly activities that provide opportunities for young people to get involved in activities ranging from film production and dance to employment support and volunteering. A highly skilled youth team is always on hand to provide additional support, advice and guidance. To help build, support and strengthen the youth programme, the Mercers’ Charitable Foundation has provided a three-year grant to support the salary costs of the Head of Youth and Community Programmes.

Cinnamon Project Lab 2017 Launched by Cinnamon Network in 2016, Cinnamon Project Lab is a national competition that rewards influential local church-based social action projects.

The criteria was simple – the projects needed to make a difference in their local communities and be expandable too.

On the 21st of June, five exciting Project Lab finalists presented their projects to a panel of expert judges in a ‘Dragon’s Den style’ final held at Mercers’ Hall.

The winners, BoxUpCrime and the Primetime Project, received development grants of £30,000 from the Mercers’

Company and entry into the Cinnamon Incubator Programme, which provides practical support and training.

BoxUpCrime from Dagenham in London works with young people at risk from falling into a life of crime. It aims to teach discipline through boxing and raise awareness through educational programmes in schools and mentoring.

Primetime Project is based at St Mary’s Church Laisterdyke in Bradford. A team, which includes over 40 young volunteers, provides a vast timetable of holiday activities in schools and community spaces benefitting hundreds of disadvantaged young people from the local community.

Left: Cinnamon Project Lab Entrants 2017 Above: The Committee Chairman, Tom Sheldon, talking at the event

Abbey Community Centre, Kilburn Abbey Community Centre in Kilburn has been supporting the local community since it opened in 1976. The Centre aims to improve quality of life for local people of all ages and backgrounds by providing a wide range of services offering educational, recreational, cultural and social opportunities. The Centre itself is a welcoming venue and focal point for the community. The Mercers’ Charitable Foundation supports the Good Neighbours Scheme, one of the Abbey Centre’s longest established projects.

The Scheme aims to help older people who may have become isolated or housebound by matching them with volunteers who provide practical and emotional support.

The ‘befriending’ volunteers are of all ages and come from diverse backgrounds.

Relationships established through the scheme may help them build confidence, improve language skills and widen their social connections. ‘Practical’ volunteers help with gardening, window cleaning, and small DIY projects. The Scheme also provides advice as well as a range of social events and excursions.

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CHURCH AND COMMUNITIES PHILANTHROPY The Mercers’ Company’s motto is Honor Deo (‘Honour to God’) and it is patron, either on its own or jointly with others, of 8 benefices (comprising 12 churches) in the Church of England.

Top: The Bishop of Edmonton welcoming the community into the Centre, Above: The Mercers’ plaque

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Opening of the Engine Room & St Francis’ Church in Tottenham Hale November saw the official opening by the Bishop of Edmonton, the Rt Revd Rob Wickham, and the Rt Hon David Lammy MP for Tottenham of a new church and community centre, St Francis at the Engine Room, Tottenham Hale. This was the conclusion of a journey that began in August 2011 when the shooting of Mark Duggan across the road from Hale Village triggered the Tottenham riots that spread through London.

Hale Village, a development for 8,000 residents in a mix of private, social, shared ownership and mixed housing was underway at the time. Mindful of the needs of this new community, the Diocese of London decided to build a new church and community centre, the first new purpose built Anglican church in the Diocese in 40 years.

The Mercers’ Charitable Foundation was approached by the London Diocesan Fund to help support the development of an outreach missionary programme and

agreed a grant of £30,000 over 3 years.

In January 2012, two church workers, Andrew and Martina Kwapong, were seconded by the London Diocese from the London City Mission and moved in October 2013 into the Engine Room, a newly fitted out, but temporary community centre, in the heart of Hale Village.

A plan for a permanent home was realised thanks to the developer of the housing scheme providing the shell of the new building. A fundraising initiative by the London Diocese followed and the Mercers’ Company agreed to provide a grant of £200k towards the £3.2m overall cost of the project.

Six years on, the new church and community centre provides a nursery for 36 children, space for community activities and workshops, a café, a bakery, as well as a home for St Francis’ church with a permanent chapel.

Founded in 2013, the congregation at St Francis church has grown rapidly, playing a vital role in the community through its regular pop-up cafés, activities and projects, such as The ReAct performing arts workshop, and annual Hale Village Summer Festival.

St Francis at the Engine Room is an example of a highly successful partnership scheme between the London Diocese, a developer, Lee Valley Estates, Newton Housing Trust, the London City Mission and a number of Foundations and Trusts of which the Mercers’ Charitable Foundation was a key funder.

Out of a situation that resulted in a volatile and alarming sequence of events, St Francis at the Engine Room has emerged as a beacon of hope and a wonderful resource for the local community used by over 500 people each week.

Written by Tom Sheldon

YOUNG PEOPLE AND EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY From 1509, when the Company was entrusted with St Paul’s School by its founder, John Colet, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, to its most recent Academy, Hammersmith, supporting education has been a core purpose of the Company.

State schools, academies & colleges — Thomas Telford

School, Telford — Walsall Academy, Bloxwich — Sandwell Academy, Bromwich — Madeley Academy,

South Telford — Hammersmith

Academy, London — The College of

Richard Collyer, Horsham, — Peter Symonds

College, Winchester — The Royal Ballet

School, London — Holy Trinity & St.

Silas CE Primary

School, Camden — Culloden Primary School,

Tower Hamlets

The Company contributes through governance, grants, advisory work and networking. One of its key contributions is the nomination or appointment of school Governors to the Mercers’ Association of Schools.

The Association includes a diverse group of sixteen schools and colleges including independent schools, state schools and academies, as well as Gresham College.

As Governors, over fifty Mercers contribute to the Company’s ongoing support for education, honouring its historical obligations as well as playing a vital and relevant role in today’s society.

Each Governor contributes a wealth of skills and experience, enhancing the educational and financial performance of the school they are involved with.

Top: Thomas Telford School Above: Dauntsey’s School

Independent schools — St. Paul’s School, Barnes — St. Paul’s Girls’

School, Hammersmith — Abingdon School, Oxfordshire — Dauntsey’s School, Wiltshire — Bute House

Prepatory School

for Girls, Hammersmith — The Hall School, Hampstead

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YOUNG PEOPLE AND EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY The Company’s philanthropy strategy has a focus on preparing young people for successful transitions from secondary education into the next stage of their lives.

The Livery Academy Awards competition One of the many ways the Company supports charities is offering the use of Mercers’ Hall for their events.

An example, in November, was one of the heats in the Livery Academy Awards, a competition set up by the Grocers’ Company in 2013.

Working with Livery Company mentors, Year 12 and 13 student teams from academies across London had to devise, develop and present an innovative proposal.

The competition aims to inspire students, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable practical business skills. They present their strategy in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitch at Mercers’ Hall to a panel of expert judges, including Mercers’ members, from the financial sector and other industries.

The heat winners were Hammersmith Academy who went forward to a Grand Final in Mansion House in January 2018.

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School Governorship When joining the Mercers I wondered if there would be any role for me, living far from London. So I was delighted when I was appointed as a governor at Walsall Academy, one of the Mercers’ Schools in the East Midlands. With a background in and a passion for education in all its forms, I hoped that I could bring some of my experience to support the school.

Safeguarding has a high priority in all schools and I was asked to become the designated Safeguarding Governor.

This requires me to visit the school between meetings to update myself on all current issues, to check the registers and report back anything relevant at our termly board meetings.

Another area that I am involved with is looking at the Standards and Quality of Education that is provided.

In September the results from the previous year are scrutinised by a small group of governors who act as a critical friend, listening to and

questioning the management team, offering praise for good results and listening to and supporting any changes that may be required to make improvements. During the Summer Term we reconvene to hear about the progress made and the expected exam results. Progress through the Key Stages is also an area of study.

Being a governor also has a lighter side. Seeing the school at work and talking to staff and pupils gives a great insight into its wellbeing. Everyone, but especially the pupils, loves to chat and make you very welcome. They seem to appreciate our interest in them and the school. It is wonderful watching school productions, achievement evenings and sporting activities. I am always amazed by their high level of performance and feel proud to be part of the school.

My fellow governors are interesting people who have a wide variety of skills; law, business, finance, IT, HR, academia and parenthood so they all have a great amount of diverse and valuable experience to offer. As governors we can offer as little or as much as we have time for.

I really enjoy being part of the school, developing a greater understanding of its achievements and challenges and giving support where I can.

Written by Tessa Littlefield

Above: Entrants from Hammersmith Academy at the Competition Right: The Hall is used by a number of charities

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DEVELOPMENT AT ST PAUL’S SCHOOL: COMPLETION OF PHASE ONE PHILANTHROPY The St Pauls’ School Foundation has supported the school since it was founded in 1509, most recently with the development of the new teaching building.

Above: Kayton Library Left: Dining Hall

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The new general teaching building was opened to all pupils and staff on 30 October 2017. The centrepiece of the new building is the Kayton Library, which extends over two floors, facing the Thames and includes two seminar rooms, the Brian Schofield Rare Books Room and the School Archives.

Both the Library and Rare Books Room are named after Old Paulines who left generous legacies to the School. Direct access is now provided from Founder’s Court into the Milton Building and onto the river frontage. Extensive landscaping of the old north access road has created an attractive space linking the Drama Centre and Wathen Hall to Founder’s Court.

Above: Founder’s Court Left: Milton Building Below: Inside the new building

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THE PAVILION, ST PAUL’S GIRLS’ SCHOOL PHILANTHROPY The St Pauls’ School Foundation has supported St Pauls’ Girl’s School since it was founded in 1904.

Today, the Mercers’ Company appoints members of the School Governing Body, and provides support in various other ways. In October 2017, a new Sports Pavilion was completed.

The building provides two large indoor activity spaces including a workout space downstairs and a large airy, multi-use space upstairs with a viewing gallery overlooking the courts and playing field, as well as four new netball courts which double-up as five tennis courts, enabling the school to offer a wider range of activities to the girls.

The School is enjoying the new facilities and already benefitting from this much improved space.

Top: Entrance to the new Pavilion, Below: The new Pavilion overlooking the Netball Courts

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ALMSHOUSE NEWS STEWARDSHIP The Mercers’ Charities provide high quality affordable accommodation for nearly 210 residents across 180 units in 6 almshouses.

In 2017, both Lady Mico’s Almshouse and Priory House achieved notable recognition for their gardens. Lady Mico’s in Stepney won first prize for a community garden in Tower Hamlets in Bloom and were also presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Lord Mayor of Islington presented the gardener, scheme manager and some residents of Priory House with a well-deserved Silver Award as part of Islington in Bloom.

Ongoing improvements included replacement of all the windows at Mercers House on Essex Road, which has made a huge difference to residents’ comfort and cut down noise and air pollution.

The Hall at Trinity Hospital Shotesham in Norfolk, which is used by both almshouse residents and villagers, has been completely redecorated. At Lady Mico’s, the new conservatory, completed in September, has added considerably to the well-used communal facilities.

Top Left: The new conservatory at Lady Mico’s, Top Right: Receiving the In Bloom Awards Above: New windows at Mercers House, Left: Priory House receiving Islington In Bloom

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2017 PROPERTY OVERVIEW STEWARDSHIP The Mercers’ Company Property Team, led by the Property Director and Long Acre Estates, are focused on maintaining a long-term, sustainable income stream from the Covent Garden and City estates. These estates collectively comprise over 1m sq ft of office, retail, restaurant and residential accommodation.

2017 has been another busy year where aside from completion of our major project at Mercer Walk, there has been a lot of work improving the estate.

At St Martin’s Courtyard, the retailing, office and residential complex owned through the joint venture with Shaftesbury plc, we have been busy progressing the redevelopment of Sussex House, a dilapidated pub and office building at the junction of Upper St Martin’s Lane and Long Acre.

Planning consent to redevelop the 13,000 sq ft building was secured in late 2016 and a contract has now been placed with Osborne to undertake the £10m project.

Elsewhere in St Martin’s Courtyard, our architects are working hard on a project to upgrade the finishes, retail and restaurant mix, which aim to enliven the main entrances as part of a general upgrading of the ten-year old complex.

We hope to start work later in 2018.

Across the wider Covent Garden estate, the Company is continuing the successful relationship with Ian Ritchie Architects who were involved in the Mercer Walk project to reconfigure the shops at 116/120 Long Acre. The aim here is to release more valuable floor space for retailing and reconfigure the upper floor residential apartments, including the addition of a new lift core to provide disabled access.

Top right: Long Acre Bottom left: Slingsby Place, St Martin’s Courtyard

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Top left: Long Acre showing entrance to Slingsby Place Top right and Bottom: Slingsby Place, Centre: A Mercer Maiden, which feature on most of the Company’s buildings.

Our long-standing tenant at 24/26 Shelton Street, the London International Film School, has announced a long anticipated plan to vacate in 2019/2020 and relocate to a new facility in east London.

This 13,000 sq ft warehouse building is overdue for refurbishment and the Mercers’ team are working with Ben Adams Architecture, looking at options to upgrade the building and contribute towards ongoing pedestrian friendly improvements planned by Westminster City Council for Langley Street and Shelton Street, funded by the Company.

Alongside other smaller projects in Neal Street, Long Acre and Drury Lane, the Company is working hard on its core Covent Garden estate to attract new retailers, office occupiers and residents who will all help to make the estate an attractive place to shop, work and live.

The activities of the property team and Long Acre Estates also extend beyond Covent Garden to include the Company’s holdings in the City, particularly around Frederick’s Place.

The Company is undertaking a refurbishment of the 45,000 sq ft Becket House, an office building on Old Jewry that now includes the Company offices.

The refurbishment includes vacant office space, the reception, entrance and common parts in a £3m project that also includes a significant upgrading of the cycling facilities. Within this, a ‘cycling suite’ will be created in the basement, providing 80 cycle bays, plus lockers,

This brand new 30,000 sq ft building increases the built density on the site by over 50% and will provide high quality office space, with terraces to the upper floors, ground and basement levels restaurant and retail, and a new pedestrian thoroughfare from Ironmonger Lane to Frederick’s Place.

showers and a drying room as a service to the occupiers of Becket House and Frederick’s Place. It will be completed in Summer 2018.

Frederick’s Place itself is seeing considerable levels of activity, led by the ongoing works to 1/3 and 7/8 Frederick’s Place, a £15m refurbishment of a 34,623 sq ft complex of offices to be let on completion in late 2019 and including a new destination restaurant in the ground floor of No 1.

Elsewhere in Frederick’s Place, Long Acre Estates review of development opportunities at 4a/4b (Dauntsey House and the old Company offices) continues and planning consent for a project designed by Stanton Williams Architects is expected in spring 2018.

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MERCER WALK DEVELOPMENT STEWARDSHIP The Company’s redevelopment of part of Block C Covent Garden and the creation of Mercer Walk has recently been completed.

Mercer Walk is the second phase of the Mercers’ long held ambition to create a new retailing thoroughfare through our Covent Garden estate, running parallel to Long Acre.

Phase 1 was created through the development of St Martin’s Courtyard with Shaftesbury PLC and now held in a joint venture company.

Mercer Walk comprises over 54,000 sq ft of new and refurbished retail, restaurant and residential accommodation, set around an attractive stone surfaced courtyard. The design work for the project commenced in 2007 and recognised both the ambition for the new thoroughfare and architectural value of the Langley Street warehouse buildings. The scheme won the 2017 London and South East Constructing Excellence Award and was a finalist in the 2017 Building Magazine Building of the Year.

Ian Ritchie Architects were part of a first-class team including Hanover Cube (Development Managers), Fairhurst (Structure), KJ Tait (M&E) and Gardiner & Theobold (QS).

The project has been anchored by a major 25,000 sq ft pre-letting to H&M for a Covent Garden flagship store, supported by a further three shops let to H&M and Estee Lauder, as well as two restaurants, let to innovative operators Temper and Le Bab and due to be open in May 2018.

The last remaining shop is now under offer, resulting in a sizeable uplift in the rental returns from the Block and contribution to the Company’s philanthropic ambitions.

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‘The Dorothea’ Silver Trees – Jill Watson Even on a dull day, you can catch a glimmer of light from the two shimmering silver trees, which appear to grow up the old warehouse wall in Mercer Walk. Created by sculptor Jill Watson, this wonderful aluminium sculpture creates intrigue and a poetic sense of nature, which is a great contrast to the urban surroundings.

The upper floors of the complex comprise 24 residential units and are all let.

The development of the new courtyard also presented the Company with an opportunity to install new public art and the development now includes The Dorothea, a sculptured aluminium espalier by Jill Watson, and the Spirit of the Garden by Ian Rank Broadley.

Chairman of Long Acre Estates Bill Scarborough commented: ‘I am absolutely delighted we have completed Mercer Walk, a great effort by the Board and the design team that has resulted in a first class contribution to our Covent Garden estate’.

‘A Trip Down Mercer Walk’ An installation of threedimensional letters which form the phrase ‘A Trip Down Mercer Walk’ is providing a unique, fun and interactive seating solution for the space. The letters are moveable and are constantly being rearranged by members of the public and retailers alike.

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WHITTINGTON COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT STEWARDSHIP Whittington College was founded in 1424, under the terms of the will of Richard Whittington, next to the Church of St Michael Paternoster Royal in the City.

It has been providing homes for older people in need for almost 600 years.

Left: The new extension Above: The bungalows Below: The Lord Mayor and the Committee

Whittington College was entrusted to the management of the Mercers’ Company, which today is trustee to the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington. To allow expansion, the College moved to Highgate in 1824.

In the mid-20th century, a plan to rebuild Whittington College to upgrade the accommodation fell through with the Ministry of Transport’s decision to widen Highgate Hill in 1962. Agreement was reached with London County Council for the sale of the almshouse and land at Highgate. In 1965, the site at Felbridge, on the outskirts of East Grinstead, was purchased. The new Whittington College was completed a year later. Twenty-eight houses were laid out as a village within a village around a private road loop. There were also houses for staff, a laundry, dispensary, and chapel. The residents moved from Highgate into their new accommodation on the 29th of September 1966. Whittington College was further extended in a series of stages opening between 1978 and 1981. In May 2017, the Lord Mayor, Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, opened a new extension at 24 A N N U A L R E V I E W 2 0 1 7

Whittington College. The event also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the move to the current location in Felbridge near East Grinstead in Surrey. The new extension provides an additional fourteen one-bedroom bungalows, increasing capacity to seventy homes. The Whittington Room has also been extended to enable facilities such as a staff office, hairdresser, GP and nurse, to be housed in one place.

The extension was designed by PRP Architects and built by Osborne.

TRINITY HOSPITAL GREENWICH STEWARDSHIP A celebration marking the 400th anniversary of the opening of Trinity Hospital Greenwich was held at the annual Visitation Court in May. Members of the Mercers’ Company, almshouse residents and guests joined the Master for a lunch and party in the garden.

Left: Chaplain and residents, Above: John Manwaring Robertson, Master (2016 – 2017), Below: Guests enjoying the celebrations in the Courtyard

Founded by Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton just before his death in 1614, Trinity Hospital Greenwich has provided safe accommodation for older people in need since it opened to the first 20 ‘poor men’ in 1617.

To secure its future, the Earl entrusted the management of Trinity Hospital to the Mercers’ Company. Today, as trustee of the Earl of Northampton’s Charity, the Company aims to provide a high-quality environment for older people in need supporting independent living today and for the future.

Over the years, the Earl of Northampton’s Charity has expanded to include an almshouse at Shotesham in Norfolk (1885) and a second building on the Greenwich site (2008). Residents from the Earl’s two other almshouse foundations, Trinity Hospital Clun in

Shropshire and Trinity Hospital Castle Rising in Norfolk joined the celebrations.

The occasion was also an opportunity to acknowledge the debt owed to the men who worked hard to ensure Trinity Hospital was completed after the founder’s death, in particular Northampton’s secretary and executor John Griffith and his great nephew Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel.

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AFFILIATION WITH THE RAF ARMED FORCES The Company supports the Armed Forces and has links with each of the Services. These include HMS Kent, The Royal Fusiliers, No 6 Squadron RAF and No.344 (Fulham) Squadron, Air Training Corps.

No. 6 Squadron RAF Visit In November, the Company welcomed twenty two Officers from the Company’s affiliated Royal Air Force unit, No. 6 Squadron. A tour of the Hall was followed by lunch and a chance to meet some Members and staff.

The Squadron was visiting London from Lossiemouth, where they were on their pre-deployment preparation tour for Operation SHADER.

The Squadron returned the hospitality and invited Members and staff to the RAF Club in London in the evening. This provided a more relaxed opportunity to chat to the Officers and a unique chance to visit the famous Club.

The day was a great occasion and reinforced our long-standing connection.

Operational Honours for No.6 Squadron RAF Recently, the Mercers’ associated RAF unit, No. 6 Squadron, and its Eurofighter Typhoons returned from 5 months flying combat missions in the complex and dangerous airspace over Iraq and Syria.

In recognition of the Squadron’s major contribution to Operation SHADER, support of counter-ISIS operations, several Squadron Members were gazetted in the April Operational Honours List.

These included: — Wg Cdr Jim Walls

(Squadron Commander) – DSO — Sqn Ldr (now Wg Cdr) Emily (Em)

(Flight Commander) – OBE — Flt Lt (now Sqn Ldr)

Roger Cruickshank – DFC — Flt Lt Niall Pairman

– Mentioned in Despatches — Flt Lt Alex Vaughan

– Mentioned in Despatches — Flt Lt Rory Denman

(Joint Commander’s Commendation) — Senior Aircraftsman Lee Dunnett

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This is a most impressive array of awards and eloquent testimony to the fighting ability of the Squadron under the leadership of Jim Walls. Jim has now completed his tour and has been succeeded by Wg Cdr Billy Cooper.

Sqn Ldr Em Rickards said the Company ‘has always been incredibly generous to the Squadron, making a real difference to welfare concerns that we usually would not be able to solve. This is particularly the case when deployed on Ops, as we have had a couple of compassionate cases that did not qualify for service support, but utilising funds provided by the Mercers’ we were able to fly these people home at short notice, which made all the difference for them and their families, and ultimately makes the Squadron more productive.’ Nice to know we can help.

Written by Wg Cdr Mike Dudgeon

Above: The Flying Can Openers, Michael Rondot 2012; Presented

by RAF Squadron No. 6

The 2017 Inness Sword Competition The London Wing 2017 Inness Sword Competition was held in April at Crowborough training camp. Cadets from 344 (Fulham) Squadron, the Company’s affiliated cadet unit, joined cadets from 27 other squadrons to take part in this annual competition. The Renter Warden attended, along with representatives of the Glovers’, Fan Makers’ and the Information Technologists’, each of whom also sponsors a squadron of the London Air Cadets.

The two-day competition involved various disciplines and events and over 200 cadets competed in archery, drill leadership, shooting, First Aid, obstacle course, navigation, observation and stretcher run.

344 Squadron came 4th in shooting, 6th in First Aid and 9th in navigation. Over all the team came 14th out of 28. For a young team this is a very credible effort.

Well done to all the cadets for their hard work and dedication.

Written by Mark Aspinall, House Warden (then Renter Warden)

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EVANGELINE STEWARDSHIP/COMPANY COLLECTIONS The subject of this beautiful bust by the American sculptor William Couper is Evangeline, the fictional heroine of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s first major literary success, the epic poem Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie (1847).

It was the story of two lovers torn apart during the British expulsion of Acadian settlers from Grand Pré, Nova Scotia in 1755. Acadian exiles scattered throughout Canada, France and the United States, many ending up in Louisiana.

Evangeline was one of the most popular poems in 19th century America and was subject matter for many artists.

Though fictional, Evangeline also become a symbol of Acadian cultural identy both in Canada and Louisiana.

William Couper was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1853. His father founded Couper Marble Works so William grew up seeing artisans at work in stone and marble. He attended Cooper Art Institite in New York and travelled Europe in 1875 to study. Couper lived and worked in Florence for 22 years before he returned home to set up a studio in 1897. Evangeline was sculpted when Couper lived in Florence, probably in the early1880s and exhibited in Paris and London in 1885.

He made a number of copies which were sold in 1885 and later though Tiffany and Co in New York.

A copy of William Couper’s statue of John Smith, one of the key figures in the establishment of the first Jamestown colony in Virignia in 1607, can be seen in Bow Church Yard near Mercers’ Hall.

The original, made in 1907, is located at Historic Jamestown in Virginia, USA. The Mercers’ Company, like many of the London Livery Companes, invested in the second Virginia Company colony in 1609.

Evangeline William Couper (1853 –1942) 1880s Carrara Marble

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LIONEL DUCKETT STEWARDSHIP/COMPANY COLLECTIONS Sir Lionel Duckett (1511– 1587) was admitted to the Mercers’ Company in 1537 after an apprenticeship. He served as Master in 1566, 1571, 1577 and 1583 and was Lord Mayor of London in 1572–1573.

Duckett is an example of a very successful 16th century London merchant engaged in a wide range of business and civic activities.

Like many other Mercers, he was a member of the Merchant Adventurers Company. At the peak of their power in the 1540s the Merchant Adventurers were exporting over 90% of English wool cloth to Antwerp and men like Duckett were making huge fortunes.

Duckett was a founder member, in 1555, of the Muscovy Company, which was granted a monopoly by the crown to trade with Russia. He financed and promoted voyages to the coast of Guinea in Africa and was a member of a syndicate (which included Sir Thomas Lodge and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, among others) that backed John Hawkins’ voyages.

He was a shareholder and later Governor of the Company of Mines Royal. During the 1570s, along with other Mercers including Michael Lok and Dr John Dee, Duckett supported Martin Frobisher’s, ultimately unsuccessful voyages, seeking the North West Passage.

Duckett was a business associate of fellow Mercer Sir Thomas Gresham and was closely allied to him in the building of Royal Exchange.

Like other wealthy City merchants Duckett acted as a money lender to the crown lending a staggering £30,000 to Elizabeth I in 1560 and £12,000 to the King of Sweden. Having built a fortune, he entered into a civic career, serving as a City auditor, sheriff, alderman and eventually Lord Mayor in 1572. During his Mayoralty he tried to address the issue of excessive drinking and feasting in the City.

Portrait of Sir Lionel Duckett c.1585/6 English School Oil on panel Purchased 1879 T H E M E R C E R S ’ C O M PA N Y 2 9

THE CHARTER 600 CHARITY FELLOWSHIP/PHILANTHROPY The Charter 600 Charity is a charitable trust established by the Mercers’ Company in 1994 to commemorate jointly the 600th anniversary of the Company’s first royal charter, granted by Richard II in 1394 and the first of Richard Whittington’s three Masterships of the Company in 1395.

The Charity is supported by Members’ donations, legacies and fund-raising activates and makes small grants to grass roots charities, which are making a difference in their local communities.

Alongside the small grants, The Charter 600 Charity has provided on-going support to the London Youth Volunteer of the Year Award which recognises the inspirational efforts of young volunteers and youth clubs around London.

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Members raising money for The Charter 600 Charity Above: Tourde-Mercer Left: The Canoeathon

ST HILDA’S EAST COMMUNITY CENTRE FELLOWSHIP In 2017, St Hilda’s East Community Centre in Tower Hamlets was named as the first Company Nominated Charity. This new initiative will provide support in the form of grants and volunteering to a local charity over three years.

St Hilda’s London Legal Walk

St Hilda’s Planting Day

Members and staff of the Mercers’ Company joined St Hilda’s on the London Legal Walk to raise funds for St Hilda’s free legal advice surgeries, which are a well-used, and much needed resource for the local community. The 60-strong St Hilda’s team joined a record number of over 12,000 people from over 700 teams taking part in the 10k annual walk organised by the London Legal Support Trust, an independent charity that raises funds for free legal services in London & the South East.

Rupert Williams, St Hilda’s director, said ‘We were delighted that Roddy Graham [then Upper Warden] was able to join us on the Legal Walk, accompanied by several other Mercers’.

It was a wonderful occasion, very enjoyable and highly successful, with our St Hilda’s East team raising £7,000.

The first major project for St Hilda’s East Community Centre, was launched in July at Sonali Gardens Day Centre, St Hilda’s second site in Shadwell. Three raised planters were constructed in the courtyard to provide accessible growing space for the Centre’s LinkAge Plus gardening group, which meets every Thursday morning. On Thursday 20th July, the gardening group was joined

by Mercers and together they quickly filled the planters with tomatoes, squash, spinach, courgettes and herbs.

The results were greatly enjoyed in the autumn, especially the Centre’s kitchen, which produces delicious lunches.

Resources for the group had been extremely scarce so Mercers’ funds were also able to provide much-needed tools and equipment. Plans for 2018’s planting’s are well advanced.

St Hilda’s Girl Guiding Group’s Cooking Class In November past Master Mercer Johnny Robertson and his wife Caroline led a special cookery Master class for the St Hilda’s Boundary Estate Girl Guiding Group. The Chair of Charter 600, Suzie Bridges, volunteered to be sous-chef and chief washer upper.

The Robertsons taught the group of fourteen girls to cook Spaghetti Bolognese. For many it was a first foray into cooking Italian food and the girls learned about the ingredients, preparation methods and cooking times, before sitting down to dinner to enjoy the results. The event was so successful that it has been followed by a series of further classes.

The Girl Guides also held a cake sale at the Mercers’ Company Offices in Becket House cleverly taking full advantage of the staff’s notorious weakness for cakes to raise funds.

A great result!

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THE LORD MAYOR’S SHOW FELLOWSHIP ‘He’s behind you!’ could have been shouted by many a person as they turned to see the Company’s Dick Whittington float advancing its way along the streets of the City of London in the Lord Mayor’s Show on Saturday 11th November.

Above: The Master in the Britska carriage during the parade at the Lord Mayors’ Show

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The day of the Lord Mayor’s show started early when the Alice Whittington, the Mercers’ traditional Thames cutter, joined other Livery Company cutters to accompany the new Lord Mayor, Charles Bowman, as he entered the City on board Her Majesty’s Row Barge, Gloriana.

Clouds threatening rain had receded by the time the parade itself started later in the morning, which was a relief for Members, staff and bell ringers on board the Mercers’ Company float, as well as the many people who came out to watch the parade.

The float celebrated nearly 600 years of Richard (Dick) Whittington’s philanthropy. It featured Dick Whittington

and, of course, his cat, alongside 2.5m high boots representing Whittington walking the streets of the City.

Bell ringers celebrated the moment in the legend and pantomime of Dick Whittington when on his way out of the City he heard Bow Bells calling him back and prophesying he would become Lord Mayor.

The real Richard Whittington was three times Master Mercer and four times Lord Mayor of London and was well known for his charitable giving. Following his death, a College of Priests was endowed in his parish church of St Michael Paternoster Royal and an Almshouse for thirteen poor men and women was established.

The almshouse was left to the Mercers’ Company to administer and helped to start a precedent for the charitable enterprises of the Livery Companies. To symbolise this generosity, Mercers’ gold chocolate coins were handed out to the crowds lining the streets. Other charities which the Company is actively involved with today were featured on falling leaves which decorated the float.

Each year the Masters and Prime Wardens of the Twelve Great Companies take it in turns to represent the Companies in the parade. This year our Master was joined by the Masters of the Goldsmiths’, Drapers’ and immediate past Prime Warden of the Fishmongers’ along with their mascot puppets.

Sitting in an open carriage pulled by four white horses, bundled up in blankets and well stocked with supplies, the Master waved to the crowds, the crowds waved back, and he received a huge cheer when passing Mercers’ Hall.

Middle: The Lord Mayor Above and Below: Members and Staff at the Lord Mayor’s Show

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FINANCIAL CITY WALK FELLOWSHIP In the summer, some Members enjoyed a guided walk around the City of London.

Top: Members viewing the sun dial at Tower Hill Station Above: Wing Cmdr Mike Dudgeon Right: Faces of the City

In June, Wing Commander Mike Dudgeon led his Financial Walk, herding a group of Mercers and guests through the narrow alleys of London edifices as he went, ducking into the odd church here and there and pointing out places of famous import.

As erudite as ever, he gave us the lowdown on the start of London’s commerce kicking off at Tower Hill with the Thames flowing briskly behind.

The large sundial outside the tube station there detailed London’s major events across the centuries and was extraordinary, well worth seeing.

We then proceeded to ramble across the City, gazing upwards at Lloyds, ducking into St Olave’s for a quick aside on Samuel Pepys, and envisioning the meat hanging on the hooks at Leadenhall market.

We paid homage to the first stone Mercer Maiden, wandered past the site of the original Soane’s bank and ended up in the Museum of the Bank of England.

And what an excellent exhibition that has too, beautifully laid out and absolutely worth the visit – who knew gold bars weighed that much or that Kenneth Grahame was bullied out of his job at the Bank having written Wind in the Willows while working there.

The walk was, as always, a terrific way to spend an afternoon. Mike is the very best of group leaders, both informative and engaging. He took us places we wouldn’t usually go to, imparted knowledge we didn’t previously have, and brought history alive. Fascinating and enjoyable, and with lovely weather too, what more could you ask for?

Written by Judy Totton

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BOAT RACE FELLOWSHIP Anyone tuning into the BBC on the 2nd of April could be forgiven for thinking that the 163rd University Boat Race was the main event. However, despite what Oxonians or Cantabrigians might try and tell you, this is a mere sideshow to the main event – the Oxbridge Watermen’s Challenge.

This is a race for traditional Thames boats, which takes place before the more famous university races and was notable in 2017 for two reasons. Firstly, it was the first time the race has taken place over the whole Boat Race course and secondly, it was the first time the Mercers’ Company had taken part in the Alice Whittington, the Company’s Thames cutter.

The weather was glorious and fortunately the discovery of WWII explosives on the Fulham foreshore the night before did not result in a river closure.

Competing in the division for women’s crews and mixed crews, the Mercers’ demonstrated excellent rudder control, to ensure the Alice was on the start line in the right place at the right time. Despite being slightly boxed in by later arrivals and a clash of blades, the Alice had a much better start than some crews who didn’t get to the start line in time at all.

Alas, this good fortune did not last.

The Information Technologists’ in Cito had taken an eccentric line in the early stages but recovered and passed the Mercers’ by Chiswick Eyot taking the trophy for the mixed event.

Above left, The race underway in Putney, Above: The Mercers’ crew in the Alice Whittington, the Company’s Thames cutter

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GREAT XII SAILING AND GREAT XII QUIZ FELLOWSHIP As one of the Great XII Livery Companies, the Members regularly represent the Company at various events and occasions during the year.

Great XII Sailing The 2017 Great XII Sailing Competition was once again held on the Isle of Wight at Seaview on Saturday the 3rd of June.

For the 2nd year in a row, the weather conditions were perfect for an exciting sail – sun and wind a plenty. The day was split into two competitions, the smaller 26-foot keelboats, known as Mermaids (two teams per Company) and a Cruiser race. The Mercers’ Mermaid teams had some dramatic and pretty wet sailing as the wind turned gusty, they came in 4th position overall. The Mercers’ charter yacht The Assassin lived up to its name and raced to the finish with a first over the line and a very happy crew. Unfortunately the handicap results system dropped its position down to 3rd. Overall the Mercers’ came 2nd in the combined event narrowly being beaten by the Grocers, which meant they took home the Mercers’ Great Twelve Regatta Trophy. There is always next year! George Bastin, past Master of the Ironmongers, stepped down as the event’s organiser after many years of sterling effort. He will be sadly missed but is handing over to two very enthusiastic Ironmongers.

Top: Members sailing in the competition off the Isle of Wight Above: The winning Mercers’ team

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Great XII Quiz – Triumph of Dick Quizzington

Written by Tara Watney

In November, the Mercers’ Company hosted the fourth annual Great XII Quiz Night. Teams of ten competed in the hugely enjoyable quiz presented by professional quizmaster Alex from ‘Quiz Coconuts’.

Along with the usual general knowledge, pop and picture rounds, the teams were surprised by an interactive round. Armed with a copy of the Metro free newspaper, scissors, glue and a backing sheet, the teams had to create their own newspaper front page.

Participants voted for their favourite

(not their own) by the novel mechanism of placing Maltesers in plastic cups.

At the end of the evening, the Mercers’ team, Dick Quizzington, claimed the trophy by a very narrow margin from A Cut Above, the Merchant Taylors’ team. The secret to their success was a team made up of members of all ages and seniorities. The House Warden claimed he had not had so much fun at Mercers’ Hall in a long time!

INTER-LIVERY SKIING, SHOOT AND REAL TENNIS FELLOWSHIP Members strengthen the Company’s relationships with other Livery Companies in a number of ways, including the Annual Sporting competitions.

Inter-Livery Ski Championships 2017 The 8th Annual Inter-Livery Ski Championships were held in Morzine, France, in January. Once again it proved to be a hugely enjoyable event, filled with fellowship and healthy ‘Inter-Livery’ competition.

The Master generously hosted the entire team plus supporters to dinner at which a rousing speech was delivered by the new Team Captain. The assembled competitors were implored to ‘ski their socks off’ but reminded that it is the taking part that counts.

Of course, we all know that this is not the case when there are trophies to defend and medals to be won! The Mercers’ were out in force to defend The Leathersellers’ Cup for the Best Ladies Team and The Apothecaries’ Cup for Oldest Finisher.

On race day, despite a few butterflies at the starting grid, the Mercers’ arrived with their ‘game-faces’ on ready to do business and make their supporters proud.

Not only did the Mercers’ manage to retain the Leathersellers’ Cup and the Apothecaries’ Cup, but added the hitherto unreachable Best Team category to their haul of precious metal. All those in attendance agreed it was a thoroughly fun and successful few days.

Inter-Livery Clay Pigeon Shoot 2017

Inter-Livery Real Tennis Competition 2017 The inaugural Psigma Inter-Livery Real Tennis handicap doubles competition was played at the Queen’s Club in West Kensington on the 17th of October.

Forty two participants represented 24 City Livery Companies. Although the Mercers’ team of Tony Smart and Rob Watney lost to the Skinners’ and Wheelwrights’ teams, they felt they performed better than expected as neither had played a great deal.

HRH The Earl of Wessex, President of the Tennis & Rackets Association and a keen real tennis player, attended the event in the afternoon to add his support. Prince Edward’s Equerry spoke at the dinner following the competition, about His Royal Highness’ plan to play three sets of tennis on every one of the fifty or so real tennis courts worldwide during 2018, with the aim of raising £2m to support more young people in participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

In May, the Holland and Holland Shooting Grounds in Northwood, Middlesex was the venue for the Annual Inter-Livery Clay Pigeon shoot. Around 108 teams represented sixty two Livery Companies.

The two teams entered by the Mercers’ Company both managed a respectable placing in the top 20 (12th and 15th). Team Captain, Grahame Cudlipp, just missed out on a podium spot in the individual High Gun award, coming fourth.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Gunmakers’ Company won the competition. The Horners’ and Leathersellers’ shared second place.

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CHOIR, GOLF, NETBALL AND CRICKET FELLOWSHIP Members of the Mercers’ Company enjoy a number of activities together, which help raise funds for the good causes the Company supports.

The Mercers’ Choir Thirty-two Mercer Members and staff met at the Hall in October for the first rehearsal of the newly formed Mercers’ Choir. Under the guidance of choirmasters Simon Lloyd and O J Ruthven, the choir, which includes people of all ages, abilities and experience, sounded very good.

After only one further rehearsal, the Choir bravely gave its first public performance at December’s General Court. To help everyone get into a festive spirit, they sang two rousing Christmas carols and were rewarded with huge applause. The warm reception must have been a real boost as the choristers prepared for their first ‘official’ performance the following week.

This was the Christmas Carolling Evening – after warming up with mulled wine and mince pies the choirmaster led the group in several popular carols. He then conducted a quartet of singers, all from operatic backgrounds, who sang In the Bleak Midwinter, the Coventry Carol and Jingle Bells to enthusiastic applause.

The event was not all about festive celebration. In the true spirit of Christmas, everyone attending was invited to bring a wrapped present for some of the people who use the services of St Hilda’s Community East.

After such a positive beginning, the Choir is already making plans for 2018’s Carolling Evening.

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The Mercers Golfing Society: Review of 2017 Despite no outstanding performances in 2017, the Society continued to achieve in many important ways. During the year, thirtyfour Mercers participated in one or more of our nine fixtures, embracing boys and girls as well as the young and ‘not so young’.

On every occasion camaraderie was exceptional. Over the past three years, the Society has been privileged to have had the then current Master participating and providing great generosity to the Society membership.

Over the last decade through the medium of golf, the Society membership has strongly supported a number of charitable initiatives with over £150,000 being raised mainly for three charities; The Cure Parkinson’s Trust, Zoe Zambia and Charter 600.

Written by Grahame Barker

Mercer Maidens v Grocers’ Spice Girls annual Netball match The fifth annual Mercer Maidens v Grocers’ Spice Girls Netball Match was hosted by the Grocers’ Company at Mossborne Academy in May and for the first time took place on an indoor court.

The coin toss was performed by Paralympic rower Oliver James, who coxed the gold medal winning mixed four team at the Rio Olympics in 2016. The Maidens fought hard and held possession for the majority of the match but the Spice Girls’ goal keeper loomed over our shooters and defended admirably.

The final score was 17 – 5 to the Grocers’, a decisive win.

The Netball match has earned a reputation as being the most competitive, with both teams being willing to get stuck in and no prisoners taken. Despite grappling and occasional sporting contact (which comes with the game), it was a friendly match. The atmosphere was light and fun, firmly up-holding the spirit of inter-livery fellowship.

With the Spice Girls now ahead 3 matches to 2, The Mercer Maidens are determined to even things up by winning the trophy next year.

Cricket – Mercers v St Paul’s School The annual cricket match between the Mercers’ Company and St Paul’s School staff and governors took place in June at the School. Both teams were in in excellent form and played fantastically well.

The final score was 176 runs v.

164 runs to St Paul’s School. One of the highlights of such a close fought match was a brilliant wicket taken by Mr. Roddy Graham (then Upper Warden).

Special mention must go to Mr. Oliver Turner (Houseman) who scored the match.

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WEST COUNTRY AND SCOTTISH REGIONAL EVENTS FELLOWSHIP Regional events were inaugurated to encourage fellowship activities outside Mercers’ Hall and to provide relaxed opportunities for Members who live at a distance from the City to meet fellow Mercers.

West Country Regional Event – Gloucestershire On Saturday 17th June, Mercers’ Company Court Member Simon Wathen hosted the third West Country Regional Event at his home in Gloucestershire.

Around thirty Members, partners and spouses living in Gloucestershire and surrounding counties enjoyed a buffet lunch in the garden and were treated to wonderful views and particularly fine weather. The day was pleasant and relaxed, and Members were able to get to know one another in a setting outside of the Hall, which made for a wonderfully social and convivial atmosphere.

The Scottish and Northern Mercers’ Fellowship Lunch – Edinburgh On Saturday the 21st of October, the Master hosted the second Scottish and Northern Member’s lunch in Edinburgh, one of the regional events held to enable members who find it difficult to attend the Hall.

The Master managed to secure historic Archers’ Hall for the event as a Member of the Royal Company of Archers, the Sovereign’s bodyguard in Scotland. Archers’ Hall has been home to the Royal Company of Archers since 1777 and is not normally available for such events, so the Mercers’ Company was honoured that they were able to enjoy such a beautiful building.

The day was an excellent opportunity for everyone who attended to connect with fellow Members and the Company.

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BECKET HOUSE AND STAFF PHOTO COMPANY In January 2017, after 108 years in offices adjacent to Mercers’ Hall, the Clerk and the staff team moved into light and airy modern open plan offices on the fourth floor of Becket House directly above the Hall.

We’re a living wage employer!

We were delighted to be the first Livery Company to gain full London Living Wage accreditation not just for directly employed staff but for all third party employees in the UK as well. We are very proud of this achievement as we believe that all our employees should be treated fairly. It is not just the right thing to do, it makes absolute business sense.

It ensures that we attract and retain the best and most motivated people, whether directly employed by us or by others.

Above: The Clerk and Staff in the new offices in Becket House, Left: The Chef working in the kitchen

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Staff working in the new Becket House offices

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COURT AND NEW MEMBERS FELLOWSHIP I

Admissions to the Company

Deceased

2017

2017

Sean Aston Lloyd Dorfman CBE Rory Downie Theodore Pengelley Hugh Vermont Julia Vermont

Dame Helen Ann Alexander Leonard Martin Edward Collyer Greville Hallett Lynden Rimbault Julian Philip Gerard Wathen (Obituary on page 44)

2016 Katherine Aspinall Toby Clay Felix Hodson Rose Houssemayne Du Boulay Helen Ince Lucia Lane Sophie Lane Angus Maudslay Fenella Maudslay Tessa Mills James Osborne Katherine Payne Petra Stafford-Smith Hector Watney

2016 Nicholas Jeremy Hodson Peter David Edward Logsdon Robert James Sutton David Anthony Totton Richard Kelso Westmacott (Obituary on page 44) 2015 David Bicknell Michael Christopher Watney 2014 Patricia Mary Cushla Clementi Richard Alan Edmund Tremlett

2015 Thomas Aston Oisin Aston Dadswell Jenny Downie Nicola Hemery Claire Jennings Annabelle Lane Josephine Lane Peter Littlefield Richard Littlefield Michael O’Sullivan Roisin O’Sullivan Robert Palmer Beatrix Stafford-Smith

2014 Camilla Goodall David Myrddin-Evans Sarah O’Brien Oliver Pengelley George Stevenson Christopher Tuke Charles Walker-Arnott Harriet Walker-Arnott Mark Watney Amy Wells T H E M E R C E R S ’ C O M PA N Y 4 3

COURT OBITUARIES FELLOWSHIP I

Richard Westmacott Richard Kelso Westmacott was born in 1934. He became a Mercer by Redemption in 1964, and was clothed on the Livery in March 1967. He died in June 2016 at the age of 82, having suffered ill health towards the end of his life.

Working as an eminent stockbroker in the City, Richard became an early member of the recently formed Finance Committee in 1994, and continued to sit on this until 2003. In 1994 he was also elected to the Court of Assistants, becoming Renter Warden in 1995 and, proceeding through the offices of House and Upper Warden, he was elected Master for 1998/99. During his Wardenships he sat on most of the Company’s committees, as well as serving as a Governor of St Paul’s School and St Paul’s Girls’ School.

In the years after his Mastership, Richard joined the Heritage and Arts committee, and became the first Chairman of the Audit committee when it was formed in 2005, leading the establishment of the important principles on which it continues to operate. He stepped down from all committees in 2008. On these, and as a member of the Court of Assistants, his quiet advice and wisdom was always greatly valued.

Richard also participated in the Company’s sporting activities, being a keen playing member of the Golfing 44 A N N U A L R E V I E W 2 0 1 7

Society until an unfortunate accident meant that he could no longer do so, although he continued to attend sporting dinners. An accomplished sailor, he was a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Richard’s son John is an active member of the Company, as his brother William has also been. We are very pleased that we continue to be able to welcome Richard’s wife Karen to events in the Hall.

Julian Philip Gerard Wathen 1923 – 2017 Julian Wathen died on Easter Sunday 2017, aged 93, surviving Priscilla, his wife of 69 years, by just a few months. He was the son and a brother of Masters of the Company.

Julian was educated at Harrow, going straight from school into the 60th Rifles and fighting in Italy where he was wounded.

Thereafter, he served in Greece, had a brief stint with SOE in Athens and was the Private Secretary to the Ambassador there.

On demobilisation, he joined the overseas arm of Barclays Bank and served in Kenya, Tanganyika, Cyprus, New York, the Sudan and Ghana, coming back to the UK in 1965 to senior jobs in Head Office, retiring as Vice-Chairman of the Barclays Group.

He was famous in Barclays for being shot in the chest in his office in Limassol, Cyprus, by an EOKA gunman (his successor was killed) and for his practice

of showering colleagues in the Bank with scribbled notes, containing opinions, orders and questions and seeking an immediate response, which were affectionately known as ‘snowflakes’. His obituary in The Telegraph was headed aptly ‘Julian Wathen – doyen of bush bankers’ and delightfully captured the man.

On retiring in 1984, he threw himself into the affairs of the Mercers’ Company, becoming Master that year. His real interest was education. He chaired the Education Committee between 1988 and 2002 in a vigorous and entertaining double act with the late Howard Truelove, Head of Education, and chaired the Governors of two of our Associated Schools, St Pauls’ and The Hall.

His interventions at Court were always lively and kept Masters on their toes, not least his own son. He appointed himself Diary Warden and otherwise took a keen interest in staff matters.

In the words of David Vermont, the Senior Member, ‘It was always a delight to be with him, to follow his train of thought, to laugh at his wit, to hear the musicality in the range of tones he produced and to learn from the temper of his words that here was to be found criticism without rancour, encouragement with a zest for life and a source of guidance which it would be foolish to ignore. He was a great English gentleman.’

FINANCIAL INFORMATION STEWARDSHIP

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T H E M E R C E R S ’ C O M PA N Y 4 5

CHARITIES’ FINANCIAL INFORMATION STEWARDSHIP The Mercers’ Company is Corporate Trustee to eight active charities and the charts below represent a summary of their operations. The total net assets of the charities amounted to £188 million as at 31 March 2017, largely represented by three of the endowed charities.

2016/2017 Grant Making

by Programme Area

69% Education 13% Welfare 8% Church and Faith 5% Heritage & Arts 5% Other

Income is mostly generated from investments, investment properties, Gift Aid from the Mercers’ Company and income from the housing operations. During the year to 31 March 2017, income was £13.7 m. Charitable activities managed include the operation of almshouses and sheltered housing schemes, as well as grant making.

46 A N N U A L R E V I E W 2 0 1 7

180 housing units are under management by three charities. During the year, a £5 million refurbishment and redevelopment project was completed by the Charity of Sir Richard Whittington at Whittington College, East Grinstead. Housing operations expenditure amounted to £2 million.

Grant making amounted to £14 million during the year across 582 beneficiaries, individuals and organisations.

The chart below shows the programme areas across all of the grant making charities managed.

Grant making programme areas as shown below will be replaced in 2018 by the new Philanthropy Strategy, as outlined on Page 8.

2016/2017 Income

23% Charity of Sir Richard Whittington 8% Earl of Northampton’s Charity 5% Mercers’ Company Housing Association 36% Mercers’ Charitable Foundation 26% St Paul’s Schools Foundation 2% Charter 600 Charity

Net asset value at 31 March 2017

Mercers’ School Memorial Trust (incorporating the Merrett Bequest) Lady Campden’s Money Legacy for Loans

57% Charity of Sir Richard Whittington 16% Earl of Northampton’s Charity 1% Mercers’ Company Housing Association 10% Mercers’ Charitable Foundation 15% St Paul’s Schools Foundation 1% Charter 600 Charity

Mercers’ School Memorial Trust (incorporating the Merrett Bequest) Lady Campden’s Money Legacy for Loans

T H E M E R C E R S ’ C O M PA N Y 4 7

COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION STEWARDSHIP The main source of funding for the Mercers’ philanthropic activities is from the Mercers’ Company itself, which makes an annual donation to the Charities each calendar year.

Annual Donation to Charities – £m

11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2013 On top of this, there is income generated from the assets of the individual charities, which is directed to the philanthropic programmes.

48 A N N U A L R E V I E W 2 0 1 7

2014

2015

There is also direct support from the Company to affiliated units of the Armed Forces and grants to bodies with which the Company rather than the Charities has a direct relationship.

2016

2017

Quoted investments Investment property

Mercers’ Company Asset Split – %

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

2013 Most of the Company’s assets are held in investment properties which are mainly in London and have been vested in the Company over the centuries to generate sustainable long-term income.

Being a very long-term

2014

2015

investor in the real estate portfolio means that the Mercers’ Company can take a different development perspective to other organisations and is less driven by short term or temporary gains.

2016

2017

The three key elements of the Company’s strategy are to support Philanthropy, Fellowship and Stewardship with the philanthropic programme focussed on Young People & Education, Older People & Housing, and Church & Communities.

Being able to provide consistent support to the Charities over many years is something of which the Company is rightly very proud.

T H E M E R C E R S ’ C O M PA N Y 4 9

ANNUAL REVIEW CREDITS CREDITS Design Mark Jones Re-shape Invent www.reshapeinvent.co.uk Photography Johnny Fenn www.johnnyfenn.co.uk David Owen Louis Sinclair Company Supported Charities Members and Staff at the Mercers’ Company Additional Photography Page 34 Financial City Walk photo credits: Miss Judy Totton Page 12 St Francis Church: Reproduced with the permission of the Diocese of London

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THE MERCERS’ COMPANY Hall address Mercers’ Hall Ironmonger Lane London EC2V 8HE Telephone +44 (0)20 7776 7200 E-mail info@mercers.co.uk

Website www.mercers.co.uk

Annual Review 2017