On 25th April, the Guild of Young Freemen celebrated its inaugural Reunion Banquet at Stationers’ Hall. The Guild of Young Freemens’ Reunion Banquet is an annual event to welcome back former members of the Guild—originally known at its inception as the Society of Young Freemen.
It is an opportunity to reconnect with our community, celebrate its enduring legacy, and strengthen ties within the wider network of former members. The Guild of Young Freemen is committed to forging inter-livery fellowship, acting as a bridge between young professionals, the City of London, and Young Freemen across generations.
Following a short introduction by our Master Grace Abba (2024–25), the Upper Warden and Master-Elect (2025–26), Reuben Braden-Bell, delivered a reflective address on the Guild’s notable achievements over the past year.
The speech celebrated a successful programme of events, ranging from the annual banquet hosted with the Italian Ambassador to the ever-popular “Meet the Liveries” events throughout the year, the traditional Sheep Drive on Southwark Bridge to a record-breaking Inter-Livery Quiz, which welcomed an unprecedented number of participating Livery Companies and young livery company members. The Upper Warden also highlighted the key achievements of the Guild in 2024-25, with the new affiliation with St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group and a partnership with the Guild of Freemen. Finally commenting on the record number of admissions of new members to date, which include the current Lady Mayoress, Florence King.
Our principal guest, Jocelyn Stuart-Grumbar, a former Young Freeman, now the Clerk to the Clothworkers’ Company and CEO of the Clothworkers Foundation, as well as Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners recalled his experience as a Young Freeman and spoke about the context of the establishment of the Guild of Young Freemen and the wider geopolitical and economic environment at the time.
It was an honour for the Guild that Deputy Henry Pollard (Liveryman of the Skinners’ Company and Past Master of the Guild of Investment Managers), who was installed as Chief Commoner only hours before the banquet, chose to make the Guild’s Reunion Banquet the first function he attended as Chief Commoner.
Among our guests, we had William Hunt TD, Founder and Past President of the Society of Young Freemen 1979-80, Michael Cooper OBE MA, Past President of the Society of Young Freemen 1997-98 and Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Parish Clerks.
We have also welcomed the following VIP guests some of which were former members of the Guild from the following livery companies:
Philip Lawford (Second Master Warden, Drapers’ Company)
Andrew McMurtie (Upper Warden of the Worshipful Company of Salters)
Thomas Rastrick (Beadle, Worshipful Company of Cutlers)
Mark Watson-Gandy CStJ OBE (Past Master, Worshipful Company of Scriveners)
David Bole (Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards)
Antony Robson (Master, Worshipful Company of Fanmakers)
Elise Rasmussen (Immediate Past Master, Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders)
Tony Ginman (Master, Worshipful Company of Lightmongers)
Mei Sim Lai OBE DL (Past Master Worshipful Company of World Traders)
Tim Skeet (Upper Warden, Worshipful Company of International Bankers)
Jordan Buck (Junior Warden, Worshipful Company of International Bankers)
James Drabble (Court Assistant, Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars)
Lisa Rutter (Immediate Past Master, Guild of Freemen)
Finally, we would like to thank our Middle Warden Rafael Steinmetz Leffa, Renter Warden Dr Fraser Peck CC, Renter Warden Elect Jacqueline Chan, Treasurer George Godfrey, Deputy Clerks Anna Kowalik and Maceo Frederick, who were committed to ensuring this evening would not only be a success but become a permanent fixture in both the Guild and City calendars, helping strengthen the connections between current and former members of the Guild or the Society of Young Freemen.
