The Fishmongers' Company MASTER MICHAEL McLAREN The Fishmongers’ Company might seem, to some, an anachronism. It is one of the oldest livery companies; its Hall arguably the grandest; and its Hall’s views of the Thames certainly the finest. But is the company still relevant, and anything more than a sumptuous dining club? The answer is, resoundingly, yes. The company does a huge amount of good, as I have learnt in my 14 years on its Court and this past year as its Prime Warden. Unlike many livery companies whose industries have disappeared, the Fishmongers’ Company still has an industry, which it supports in many ways. For instance, at Billingsgate Fish Market, one of the three great markets of London (along with Covent Garden and Smithfield), the company provides inspection services – a dawn visit provides a fascinating insight into a traditional market and will also net you the freshest seafood in town. Beyond London, it offers targeted grants to fisheries projects and fishing communities across the country. It supports other associations which work to conserve shellfish and salmonid fish (to name but a few). It also uses its independence and respected position in the industry to foster debate about fishy issues – for instance, working for a cleaner Thames. But the company’s work goes far beyond the fishing industry. Like many livery companies, it is deeply involved in education, supporting in particular Gresham’s School in Norfolk, where Benjamin Britten and WH Auden were educated, as well as various primary schools. The company also offers scholarships to musicians at three London conservatoires, artists at the City & Guilds of London Art School, female medical students and many others. It is a fascinating, and surprisingly complex, enterprise. Its substantial assets, together with its historic Hall, its pictures and furniture and its numerous charitable and fisheries ventures, need to be managed effectively. Much remains to be done to make the company fitter for the 21st century. This year, I initiated a strategic review of the direction the company should be taking, to reassess its objectives and to refocus its work at the heart of the fishing industry and education. Being Prime Warden has been a great privilege but also hard work. I have chaired many meetings, eaten too much and become weary of the sound of my own voice making too many speeches. On the other hand, I have been able to guide a review of the company’s constitution, which has reformed its standing orders; and I am proud to have promoted an additional Summer Concert at Fishmongers’ Hall, which gave our scholars a chance to perform in a spectacular venue as well as raising funds for the Company’s main charitable trust – I hope this might become an annual fixture.
As Prime Warden, I have seen and done fascinating things which would never otherwise have come my way. For instance, the Brigade of Gurkhas (recently affiliated with the company) invited me to their Attestation Parade in the Nepalese town of Pokhara, where each year’s recruits are inducted into the British Army. This was followed by tours of Gurkha Welfare Trust centres and a week’s trek in the earthquake-ravaged area of Gurkha – all a different perspective into a country I love and have visited several times. Closer to home, there have also been various visits to schools and fisheries, to Edinburgh, Bristol, Sheffield and Ironbridge. Combining the office of Prime Warden with commercial practice at the Bar (and a few other things) has been a jigsaw puzzle. But other Middle Templars have done likewise. For instance, Masters Zellick and Pulman have each been Master Haberdasher; this year, Oliver Wise (a tenant in QEB and member of Lincoln’s Inn) is Master Grocer. Boxing and coxing, burning the midnight oil and sheer luck all play their part in avoiding diary clashes. When an over-running accountants’ disciplinary case threatened to prevent me from chairing some important company meetings, the expedient of serving a 64-page closing skeleton worked a treat – it gave the Disciplinary Committee so much to think about that it released the parties for that crucial morning (and also won the case for my client)! All in all, it has been a great privilege and pleasure to lead for one year this ancient livery company, with its strong sense of purpose and charity. I can reassure other barristers who might be pondering a similar step that, not only it is possible to combine practice at the Bar with other such activities, but also it can be immensely rewarding. Master McLaren was Called to the Bar in 1981, took Silk in 2002 and was made a Bencher in 2012. He practises from Fountain Court Chambers, and has a general commercial practice, with an emphasis on aviation, regulation and professional disciplinary work. Keen on music, he is a director of the Temple Music Foundation and sits on the Church Committee.
The Fishmongers' Company
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