10. Livery events

The Company has informal links with a number of other Livery Companies which leads to invitations to key events in their years. There are also more formal groupings such as the WET 10 and Livery Companies from 78-110 which are termed Modern. This term can confuse, for some post war liveries represent very ancient trades, notably the Farmers. Modern Livery Companies meet twice a year and the Master and senior Warden are invited. This half year it was the Environmental Cleaners’ turn to organise a dinner, which was held at the Armourers’ Hall on 7 September. The principal guest was Mr Sheriff, Andrew Parmley, who is also an honorary Liveryman of our Company. The evening was a great success and the next dinner will be on 14 March 2016.  

The Fuellers’ Company held its Annual Energy Lecture at the Drapers’ Hall on 21 September to which I was invited. The guest speaker was Minister Counsellor Mr Jin Xu, and his subject, China’s energy policy and programmes and its aspirations to take part in the forward energy programme in the UK. Coincidentally, the Chancellor, in China, had just announced guarantees on £2bn debt incurred by the two Chinese contractors bidding for the Hinckley Point nuclear station replacement. Not much could be said about this but Mr Jin restated China’s wish to get involved in UK’s energy sector.

The second invitation was from the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, when Air Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier talked about Technology and Military Capacity. He is well placed, at the centre of the next strategic Defence and Security Review which will be completed shortly. He was pushed on several issues – Trident replacement, joint services management and the reputation of MOD to deliver programmes on time and on cost. Saying nothing about the major issues he was very upbeat about improvements to procurement. Previously he was a serving pilot and instructor, flying Tornado GR4 aircraft (see gratuitous photo). A good evening, and thanks to the Air Pilots and the Royal Aeronautical Society.