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Guild of Young Freemen
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The Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London[1] is a membership organisation that connects young individuals associated with the traditions of the Freedom of the City in the City of London. The organisation has been partnered with the Order of Saint John since 2024.[2]
 Emblem of the Guild of Young Freemen | |
| Abbreviation | Guild of Young Freemen |
|---|---|
| Formation | 7 December 1976 |
| Founder | Sir Robin Gillett, Bt. |
| Headquarters | Blackwell House, Guildhall Yard, London EC2V 5AE[3] |
| Location |
|
Master | Michael Polak[4] |
Key people | William Hunt, Alderman Alastair King DL |
| Affiliations | Order of St. John, St John Eye Hospital Group, London Area Sea Cadets |
| Website | youngfreemen.org |
Formerly called | Society of Young Freemen of the City of London |
Founded in 1976 as the Society of Young Freemen of the City of London during the Lord Mayoralty of Sir Robin Gillett Bt,[5] the Guild was founded to provide a platform for young professionals to engage with the civic and historical traditions of the City. Over time, it has developed into a forum that fosters engagement with London’s heritage while supporting professional and community activities. The Guild is open to young professionals under the age of 40 and seeks to encourage greater participation in the customs and institutions of the City of London.[6]
The Guild's current honorary president, Lord Mayor of London Alastair John Naisbitt King, presided over the Installation Banquet of the Young Freemen held at Mansion House on 13 January 2026.
History
[edit]Formation
[edit]In the mid-1970s, the City of London Corporation exploring ways to involve younger people in the City’s civic life and encourage them to become Freemen. Internal discussions, led by the Corporation’s Policy and Parliamentary Committee and its Public Relations Sub-Committee, highlighted the need for an organised forum for young Freemen. In 1976, a working group of five Court members of the Guild of Freemen (the association of City Freemen), together with City Corporation representatives and a number of younger Freemen, met several times to develop this idea.[5] These early committee deliberations culminated in a proposal to create a new body specifically for young Freemen, with the support of the Lord Mayor and the Corporation. By late 1976, the framework was in place for what was initially envisioned as a "Society" of young Freemen, dedicated to engaging the next generation in the heritage and traditions of the City.
The Society of Young Freemen
[edit]The official formation of the Society of Young Freemen of the City of London took place at an inaugural meeting on 7 December 1976 at Mansion House,[5] launched under the auspices of the then Lord Mayor, Sir Robin Gillett Bt (who served as the Society’s first Patron). The Society’s stated aim was "to promote an interest in and the interests of the City of London among Freemen of the City" – in practice, to increase the participation of young Freemen and Liverymen in City affairs and traditions.[5]
Early leadership of the Society was drawn from young City Freemen: June Evans served as the first chairman in 1976–77. She was followed by William Hunt and (Margaret) "Penny" Lewis – later known as Penny Harrison, among others, who together shaped the Society's direction in its formative years.
From the outset, the Lord Mayor agreed to act as Patron of the Society, and successive Lord Mayors continued this patronage tradition. The Society of Young Freemen quickly became active in the City's calendar: it held annual dinners and social events, arranged educational visits, and encouraged its members’ involvement in historic ceremonies. Within a few years, the Society was recognised as a training ground for future Livery company members and City leaders, with several alumni later serving as Livery Masters, City officers, and even Lord Mayors.[5]
The Guild of Young Freemen
[edit]In 2015, the Society adopted the name Guild of Young Freemen to better reflect City traditions. The Guild remains distinct from the older Guild of Freemen of the City of London, which was founded in 1908.[7]
Current activities
[edit]Members of the Guild regularly participate in major City events. It maintains a ceremonial role in the annual Lord Mayor's Show, where its members traditionally escort the wickerwork giants Gog and Magog through the City, in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers.[8][9][10]
The Guild also contributes volunteer marshals to the annual Sheep Drive across London Bridge, a charitable event organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen which recreates the traditional right of Freemen to drive sheep over the Thames toll-free.[11][12][13]
In addition to its ceremonial roles, the Guild hosts lectures, inter-livery networking events, and formal dinners throughout the year.[14][15]
It has partnered with modern City of London livery companies such as the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists,[16] and supported other civic activities like the Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch.[17]
Governance
[edit]On 28 November 2025, the Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London was incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee.[18] The organisation’s Articles of Association define its objects as promoting participation in the civic affairs and traditions of the City of London and acting as an "incubator for prospective leadership." The constitution mandates that the Master and Wardens must be Freemen of the City of London and establishes a formal disciplinary framework, including a Disciplinary Court and adherence to the City of London Corporation's Code of Conduct.[19]
Affiliations
[edit]Military
[edit]The Guild like other livery companies has military affiliations, and has been involved in activities with the London Area Sea Cadets, including attendance at joint ceremonial functions.[20]
Charitable
[edit]The Guild is affiliated with international humanitarian organisations including Saint John Eye Hospital Group,[21] and the Order of St. John.[22][21]
Notable members
[edit]Members of the Guild have gone on to become liverymen, common councillors, and officers of City institutions.
Guild members include:
- William Hunt, Windsor Herald of Arms at the College of Arms
- Andrew Parmley, Former Lord Mayor of the City of London[23]
- Mark Watson-Gandy, Chairman of the Biometrics and Forensic Ethics Group
- Susie Rodgers, British Paralympic swimmer
- Dhruv Patel, Common Councillor of the City of London
List of honorary presidents
[edit]- Sir Lindsay Ring
- Sir Robin Gillett
- Sir Ronald Gardner-Thorpe
- Sir Hugh Bidwell
- Sir Brian Jenkins[24]
- Sir Roger Cork
- Sir Clive Martin
- Sir Michael Oliver[25]
- Sir David Brewer
- Sir David Wootton[26]
- Sir Andrew Parmley[23]
- Timothy Hailes
- Alastair King[27]
Past Masters
[edit]The presiding officer of the Society of Young Freemen was originally styled President. Following the adoption of the name the Guild of Young Freemen the title Master was adopted.[28]
Presidents and Masters of the Guild of Young Freemen
[edit]| Term | Officeholder | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1976–1977 | June Rodgers | |
| 1977–1978 | William Hunt | |
| 1978–1979 | Penny Lewis (later known as Penny Harrison) | |
| 1980–1981 | Richard Ratner | |
| 1981–1982 | Catherine Gay (née Wilson) | |
| 1982–1983 | John Hill | |
| 1983–1984 | Claire Cross | |
| 1984–1985 | Ken Craig | |
| 1985–1986 | Sally Anne Hill | |
| 1986–1987 | Gwilym Morgan | |
| 1987–1988 | David Foster | |
| 1988–1989 | Jonathan Gollow | |
| 1989–1990 | Howard Pearson | |
| 1990–1991 | Heather Hall (née Marshall) | |
| 1991–1992 | Peter Tompkins | |
| 1992–1993 | Ian Clark | |
| 1993–1994 | Malcolm Johnston | |
| 1994–1995 | Stephen Plumb | |
| 1995–1996 | David McGurk | |
| 1996–1997 | Piers Llewelyn Jones | |
| 1997–1998 | Michael Cooper OBE | |
| 1998–1999 | Vicki Welch (née Hill) | |
| 1999–2000 | Fiona Donovan | |
| 2000–2001 | Ray Catt, CC | |
| 2001–2002 | Clare James, CC (née Cue) | |
| 2002–2003 | Michael Snow | |
| 2003–2004 | Nigel Hall | |
| 2004–2005 | Nigel James | |
| 2005–2006 | Jason McCreanne | |
| 2006–2007 | Robert Scriven | |
| 2007–2008 | Toby Locke | |
| 2008–2009 | Michael Wadood | |
| 2009–2010 | Georgina Hajdu | |
| 2010–2011 | Victoria Lloyd | |
| 2011–2012 | Govind Ratnam | |
| 2012–2013 | David Double | |
| 2013–2016 | Laurence Nicolas | Extended term |
| 2016–2017 | James St John Davies (né Bromiley-Davies) | |
| 2017–2018 | Omar Asfar | |
| 2018–2019 | Rafe Henry Clutton | |
| 2019–2020 | Anjola Adeniyi | |
| 2020–2022 | Louise Starling | Extended term due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2022–2023 | Rhys Jones | |
| 2023–2024 | Samuel Chadd | |
| 2024–2025 | Grace Abba | |
| 2025–2026 | Reuben Braden-Bell | Resigned 21 January 2026[29] |
| January 2026–Present | Michael Polak |
Guild Church
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London". Livery Committee. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ Jess (3 December 2024). "The Guild of Young Freemen Announce Landmark Partnership with SJEHG". St John International. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
- ^ "Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London Ltd". Companies House. UK Government. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "The Master, Wardens, and Past Masters". Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e James, Clare (12 October 2015). "THE ORIGINS OF THE SOCIETY OF YOUNG FREEMEN" (PDF). Guildhall Historical Association. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ "Become a Freeman". Worshipful Company of Educators. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "Guild of Freemen of the City of London". Guild of Freemen. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "2023 Procession – Lord Mayor's Show". Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "2024 Procession". Lord Mayor’s Show. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "The Lord Mayor's Show". BBC. 9 November 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Freemen drive sheep across London Bridge". The Guardian. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2025.[dead link]
- ^ "Sheep Drive Across London Bridge 2015". The Worshipful Company of Woolmen. 23 February 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ "About". Sheep Drive & Livery Fair. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Young liverymen compete at annual City quiz". Worshipful Company of Bakers. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Young Livery Inter-Livery Quiz 2024". Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "News". The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ Master, The Web (23 May 2023). "Report on the Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch 2023". Livery Committee. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "THE GUILD OF YOUNG FREEMEN OF THE CITY OF LONDON overview". Companies House. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- ^ "Articles of Association: The Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London". Companies House. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
- ^ "Affiliated Cadet Groups". Royal Society of St George. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ a b Jess (3 December 2024). "The Guild of Young Freemen Announce Landmark Partnership with SJEHG". St John International. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "Latest News | Page 4 of 31". St John International. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Next City Lord Mayor Elected". City of London Corporation. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Transcript of interview: Sir Brian Jenkins" (PDF). Archives of IT. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "Anthony Bailey OBE addresses The Society of Young Freemen of the City of London - Anthony Bailey Consulting". 30 May 2014.
- ^ "David Wootton". Gresham College. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "Silent Ceremony 2024". Young Freemen. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ "Past Masters". Guild of Young Freemen. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Reuben Braden-Bell – Officer appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
