THE COURT AND COMPANY’S ADMINISTRATION

The Company is governed by the Master, the wardens and the Court Here its structure is explained by following a liveryman’s steps from assistant to Master�

Elections to the Court of Assistants take place early in the calendar year A liveryman wishing to join the Court is normally elected as an assistant for a six-year term and may then stand for a second six-year term during which he or she will be expected to stand as second assistant thereby confirming willingness to proceed to the role of Master� Candidates for assistant are elected by the whole livery and at least one will be sought every year as other assistants progress through the stages Other vacancies occur as individuals leave the Court The roles of second assistant, first assistant, junior warden, senior warden and Master are for a one-year term�

Assistants

Assistants undertake the role of a board of directors overseeing the running of the Company� They will normally sit on or chair a committee and may represent other committees at Court�

Second Assistant

A candidate for second assistant is committing to the final steps en-route to becoming Master Following a proposal from the Past Masters, who act as a senate of experience, the candidate is put forward for election by the Court of Assistants� Second assistants have the opportunity to engage more fully with all aspects of the Company’s operations and the civic life of the City The second assistant is a member of the Principal Operating Committee�

First Assistant

One year on, the progression normally leads to first assistant While there are no specific extra duties, the first assistant is confirming the intention to become Master and should anticipate engaging in as many Company activities as time allows� Continuing involvement in the Company’s strategy through membership of the Principal Operating Committee, which includes other senior members and the clerk and treasurer, can be expected�

Junior Warden

The junior warden will be installed at the same ceremony as the new Master and will join the senior trio leading the Company for that year� The role is to support the Master, take an active part in all discussions and decisions and become familiar with as many of the current activities of the Company and the wider livery movement as time allows�

Senior Warden

The senior warden is very much the Master-in-waiting and as such needs to prepare� They will be involved in all major decisions and will occasionally accompany the Master to Company and civic events In anticipation of the subsequent Master’s year the opportunity can be taken to outline plans at the Company’s Common Hall held about a month before the Installation Ceremony The senior warden is also responsible for overseeing the regions and highlighting their importance in the Company’s strategy and activities�The senior warden is also expected to start planning their Master’s Outing�

Master

It is a great honour and privilege to represent the industry as Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers� The Master chairs Court meetings and has considerable power to lead the Company generally

It is a very sociable year with the Master, and often the consort, hosting Company events and dinners and being invited by other Masters to social occasions� There are many opportunities to forge new friendships

The Master works closely with the wardens to ensure continuity and consistency going forward� A working relationship with the clerk and the administrative staff is vital in achieving both the Master’s objectives and those of the Company�

The Master is very much involved in livery activities in the City of London� One of the first is the Master’s Livery Weekend, which is attended by all Masters� It is a great opportunity to meet other Masters who will be met again on many occasions throughout what is a great year�

The Master will ensure that the objectives of the Lord Mayor and major City initiatives are communicated within The Furniture Makers’ Company

In addition to being a member of all committees, the Master is expected to attend the following:

• The Installation

• The Royal Charter Dinner

• Court Meetings

• Freemen’s and liverymen’s admission ceremonies

• The Election of the Lord Mayor

• The Election of Sheriffs

• The Lord Mayor’s briefing for Masters and clerks

• Events hosted by other livery companies and City institutions, including that of the Broad Street Ward Club

• The Livery Garden of Remembrance Service

• The Lord Mayor’s Banquet for Masters

• The United Guilds’ Service

• The Livery Masters’ Weekend

• A Buckingham Palace Garden Party

• Company Mixer events

• The Master’s Outing�

It is a very busy year, but it is a year that can be remembered with pleasure and pride�

THE MASTER’S CONSORT

The Master’s consort plays an important role in assisting the Master during their year� The consort may be married to the Master, a significant partner or a friend of choice� The consort may be invited to events and dinners with the Master or invited to those of the Consorts’ Association

Past Master

Once a Master has completed the year ‘in the chair’ they become a Past Master of the Company Past Masters continue to serve on the Court until they wish either to stop attending Court meetings or to take emeritus status and thereby cease to be an active Past Master� If the Master is unable to attend any significant event or to chair a Court meeting, the Immediate Past Master will deputise usually

Trustees

The Charitable Fund is governed by a board of trustees who have legal responsibility for the fund�

Charity President

The charity president is patron of the charity and is usually a person who has gained high regard in the industry� The charity president normally attends the Royal Charter Dinner and represents and promotes the charity