Governing Body
The Governing Body of the Plaisterers is the Court, which comprises of the Master, who chairs the Court, those who have been through ‘the Chair’ – known as Past Masters – and those who are waiting to progress through the ranks of Renter Warden and Upper Warden, known as Assistants. The Master is elected annually and the Company’s year runs from the date of their installation in July.
As a modern company we are committed to promoting equality, fairness and respect, and an atmosphere where diversity is recognised and valued.
The Plaisterers are a lively and inclusive Livery Company that promotes our industry and fellowship through heritage, charitable endeavour and diverse affiliations.
Management
The Worshipful Company has three distinct legal entities; Livery Company, Charity and Plaisterers Hall Ltd.
Livery Company
The day-to-day management of the Livery Company is delegated to the Clerk, as the Chief Executive, who is supported by an Assistant Clerk. The Livery Company is governed by the Master and Court, and a number of working committees, such as the Industry Committee and the Membership Committee. These are standing committees but others are formed where a special, normally short-term requirement, is identified.
Charity
The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers’ Charitable Trust is a separate legal entity that is subject to Charity Law and the terms of its Trust Deed dated 1st July 1980. It is administered by a Charity Steward and Trustees comprising Court Members and Liverymen.
Plaisterers' Hall
Plaisterers Hall Ltd (PHL) is a separate legal entity as a Limited Liability Company incorporated on 21 January 1960. Directors are appointed by the PHL Board, normally from within the Livery Company. The Livery Company owns the whole of the issued share capital.
PHL manages the day to day running of the Hall and does so in conjunction with our catering partner, CH&Co, to achieve this. PHL has responsibility for the longer term stability of the Hall.
Membership
The Plaisterers’ Company has an active membership of between 350-400 members, split two thirds Liverymen and one third Freemen. In recent years the Company, along with many other livery companies, has taken a hard look at the make-up of its membership, seeking to find ways to encourage increased diversity in age, gender and ethnicity. It has been pleasing to see the small but steady change that has been taking place; The Company is committed to continuing down this path.
Our Royal Liveryman
In 2014 we welcomed our first Royal Liveryman, Her Majesty The Queen.
It was with great pleasure that we were able to provide Her Majesty with her first opportunity to visit the Hall on Wednesday 27th May 2015. The evening took the form of a relaxed and informal Reception during which the Queen met a large number of the members of the Company and their partners.
Her Majesty was presented with a specially designed Livery Badge. It was commissioned following a design competition amongst students at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell. The winning designer, 19-year old Joshua Gane, was able to discuss his design with the Queen, who also met other students who had participated in the competition.
An illuminated Livery Certificate, designed by Calligrapher Tim Noad, was also presented to Her Majesty. The original will reside at Clarence House with a facsimile on display in the Hall.
Her Majesty The Queen said:
“Master, Wardens, Brother and Sister Liverymen, Ladies and Gentlemen
Thank you, Master, for your generous words of welcome. It was with enormous pride that I accepted your invitation, last year, to become an Honorary Liveryman of this ancient Worshipful Company and I am hugely honoured to be here today in your magnificent Great Hall (a testament to the art of plastering) to accept this beautiful Livery brooch.
The City Livery Companies are entwined in the history of London. They have their roots in ancient trades and crafts, but over the centuries they have adapted to emerge, in the 21st Century, still vital to the men and women they support. Here at the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, I know how proud you are to promote the craft of plastering; to sustain it through annual awards and training bursaries; to raise money for charity and to maintain your links with this country’s wonderful Armed Forces.
I’m told that, as long ago as 1513, the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers paid 20 shillings towards equipping 300 men with arms for the French War! In this bicentenary year of the Battle of Waterloo, I’m glad to say our days of fighting the French are over! However, the Armed Forces are now deployed all over the world and your continuing commitment to the Army, Navy and Air Force through your Military Affiliations does you immense credit. I am sure that your awards of prizes, charitable giving and visits – as well as the generous hospitality you have offered them here – are all greatly appreciated and I’m delighted to see so many representatives of those Military Affiliations here tonight.
It has been a huge pleasure to meet so many of you this evening and to learn a little about your work. Thank you for making me so welcome as a fellow Liveryman of your Company. Long may it flourish!”
Yearbook
The Plaisterers produce a year book in October each year covering the activities of the Masters year (July to July). It also describes the history of the Company since 1501, updates from our committees, the charity Plaisterers Hall Ltd, affiliates and friends across the livery and trade.