Page 27 - The Constructor A5V24 V1

The Company

Dr Christine Rigden

As many will know, Dr Christine Rigden BSc PhD FGS C Geol was
Master Constructor 2009-10.
Christine was born in County Durham in 1965 and was raised in
Norfolk. She graduated from The University of Sheffield, with a first
degree in Geology and a doctorate in Materials and for several years
was a Lecturer in Geomaterials at Queen Mary, London University,
where her research and teaching focussed on the use of geological
materials in the construction industry. During this time she also
served two four year terms on the Council of the Geological Society
including one term as an Honorary Secretary
She became a Freeman and Liveryman of the Constructors in 1993 and is also an active Liveryman
of three Companies [Constructors, Masons, Tylers and Bricklayers] serving on committees of each,
and a new Freeman of the Educators' Company. She is also currently a member of Council of the
City Livery Club and is an active member of many other City institutions as well as being a Friend of
HQS Wellington, St Lawrence Jewry, and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Outside the City, she is involved in a number of public and charity roles including serving as a
member of the Independent Monitoring Board for HMP Swaleside, a category B prison on the Isle of
Sheppey; Vice-Chairman and Trustee of the Kent Enterprise Trust; governor of The Orchard School,
Canterbury and secretary of the Wye Rural Museum Trust.
Christine’s husband Stephen is also much involved in the Livery having served as Master Constructor
in 2012/13. He is also a Liveryman of the Farmers’ Company; a committee member of his Masters’
Association, The Great 13, and a member of Candlewick Ward Club.
Both Christine and Stephen enjoy sailing, having spent three summers cruising in the Baltic, and two
summers circumnavigating Great Britain and Ireland. They live on, and manage, their arable farm on
the outskirts of Canterbury.
In 2014 Christine stood as a candidate for Non-Aldermanic Sheriff of the City of London and on
Midsummer’s day 2015 she was elected unopposed as the Non-Aldermanic Sheriff.
The Liverymen of the City of London elect two Sheriffs annually at Common Hall on Midsummer's
Day, and they are admitted to office on Michaelmas Eve. One post is normally held by a serving
Alderman [the Aldermanic Sheriff] the second post is that of the Non-Aldermanic [or lay] Sheriff.
The post of Sheriff is the oldest in the City of London and one of the oldest in existence, dating from
the 9th Century when Sheriffs [or Shire-Reeves] were appointed by and responsible to the King, with
duties including the collection of royal revenues and enforcement of royal justice. When London was
granted a degree of independence and self-government in 1130 this included the right to select its
own Sheriffs, a right which continues to be exercised to this day – a privilege of Liverymen of the City
of London alone.
Today, the two Sheriffs form an integral part of the Civic team, and it is customary for one or both
Sheriffs to attend and support the Lord Mayor in carrying out his or her official duties; this includes at
City functions and national and international visits undertaken by the Lord Mayor on behalf of the
City of London Corporation and the Business City.
A key role undertaken by the Sheriffs is that of attending the daily opening of the Central Criminal

Autumn 2015 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | 27