The latest news about and from the Worshipful Company of Butchers

“Immediate Past Master, Past Master's, Wardens, Assistants and Liverymen. After 24 years I am humbled to stand before my peers as Master. I would like to thank you for the honour and I promise to serve this proud and ancient Company to the very best of my abilities.

At Common Hall this time last year, the Court was rightly challenged to turnaround the fortunes of the Livery. The Court listened. IPM Chris Wood listened. The Wardens and Assistants worked on a collaborative recovery plan that was agreed and executed. The Court has taken the year to implement the necessary changes to cut overheads, increase revenues and restructure the management of the Company. I won’t steal Warden Jim Connell’s thunder who will take you through the detail shortly. You will have seen in the last newsletter and by an email sent to you all, that greater responsibility has been placed on members of the Court to ensure that we are accountable for the business. Led by our new Wardens elected today, they are the pillar heads accountable for delivering the targets in the recovery plan that we need to achieve for Finance, Commercial, Revenue, Industry and Livery. The execution of the Court’s transition plan is to change the structure of the Committees to reflect best business practice and align to the recovery budget in order for the Livery to thrive.

Our Acting Clerk Carla has worked tirelessly to keep the wheels on whilst the necessary improvements were made. Without Carla stepping up to Acting Clerk and plugging the many gaps, none of these changes could have happened. Thank you Carla. On behalf of every Liveryman.

There is still much work to be done. We have to hit or exceed budget of course. Approximately half the budget is under contract and tenants and Bovingdon’s must deliver. The balance is within the grasp of all Liverymen. Keep coming and enjoying Court lunches. Support the special events, such as the Joie De Vive dinner that encourage fellowship and raise money! We are always looking to recruit new liverymen to share what we enjoy. Corporate partners are now such an important part of what we do that not only delivers a revenue stream but also helps keep us at the heart of the industry. 

My chosen charity for the year is Mind, the national mental health charity that believes no one should face a mental health problem alone. We not only want to raise funds for such a worthy cause but also more importantly to raise awareness within the Livery, the City and the Industry. We are looking at a range of opportunities to do this through the year including a Charity walk or cycle and of course the Masters Dinner in early summer next year. More details to follow.

I am very pleased that my friend, fellow Liveryman Professor Jude Capper, has agreed to join me as official Consort for the ensuing year and there are already a few interesting events in the diary that we are looking forward to. Jude thank you very much.

It has been a difficult year on the Court if I am honest. There have been some difficult decisions to make and some crossed words have been had. Of course not everyone has agreed. But through this the Court has really come together as a collaborative team to manage the change that was so very needed. Thank you very much to each and every one of you.

In closing, may I now take the opportunity to offer a debt of thanks to the IPM Chris Wood for the dedication shown in what has been a difficult year of change. I know that both yourself and Consort Fiona have enjoyed a full year of activities and have steered us through some tough times on a path that is heading towards a brighter future for the Livery. Thank you on behalf of every Liveryman”

JOHN ALLTON JONES

Master 2024-25