Page 21 - A4 Journal 2019

The Company

engineering truly fascinating and never tire of listening to those working in the sector and experts telling me about what they
do. My goal is to try to help clients achieve their goals, work with them to resolve their problems and help steer their way
through hurdles especially prevalent during this current period of change.
When I am not working, I am usually found running around after my two small children.
Going forward I am keen to get involved in the events and traditions of the Company and meet other members. In addition, I
am very pleased to be working with Diversity and Inclusion Committee together with Diana Chrouch, John Rowsell and
others. Diversity is surely a key topic for the construction industry and for the future of the Worshipful Company of
Constructors. “

John Kennedy Melling FCA, FFB, FRSA, FTII, MCFA, OMAA (1927 – 2018)

As Past Master John Burrell recalls, “On 2nd November we learned that John Kennedy
Melling (JKM) had died on 10th October. Being almost 92 he had been inactive for many
years and it is doubtful many of our current membership knew him. However, we have all
benefited from the time he devoted to the then Company of Builders in its early years.

JKM was a singular man, a self-described dilettante immediately recognisable by his
monocle and velvet cloak. Not in any way one’s idea of a conventional Liveryman but John
was ‘Livery’ through and through.
He was a Past Master Poulter (1980-81) and a Liveryman of the Bakers, Farriers and
Constructors (admitted July 1977). He published many works on many subjects including Discovering London’s Guilds and
Liveries, London and the Guilds of Europe and The Poulters of London. He was a past editor of The Liveryman Magazine.
Being an acknowledged authority on the Livery caused our Founders to seek John’s advice on City and Livery ways, and that
he freely gave. He subsequently wrote a history of our early days which members can find through our website. Alongside
that is a potted biography detailing his many interests and achievements.

Having joined the Company of Builders in July 1977 he continued to advise and contribute organising the Masters Summer
visits to Chatsworth (Master Peter Allen 1979-80) and Aberdeen (Master Ken Davis 1990-91).

I cannot overstate the importance of the contribution JKM made to our formation and first steps as a then Guild seeking
Livery. Moreover I cannot forget the help he gave me personally. As Senior Warden I also sought his advice on the ways of the
City and the Livery. Despite my having asked him a favour he twice invited me to the BAFTA Club (he was a long standing
member) for lunch at his expense where he sought to steer me away from errors of which I avoided a few. In return I invited
him to be principal guest at my Installation Dinner where he spoke on the lighter side of the City and Livery.

As I said, he was a singular person but a kind and generous man who the Builders / Constructors were lucky to have.”

Shade Abdul

Shade joined the Company as a Freeman on 4 July 2019. She writes:

“When I was asked to put some words together about why I joined the Worshipful Company of
Constructors, I was struggling. I couldn’t get past mentioning Diana Chrouch, who leads the diversity and
inclusion group. As great as that seemed, it felt far short of what the Editor was looking for. However,
feeling inspired from the Ladies Take Over event which I attended on 23 September, I was reminded of the
things that often get forgotten in the daily pursuit of career advancement.

Diversity and Inclusion
As a black woman working in the construction industry, I am pleased that issues around unconscious bias and professional
barriers are being discussed by others. I say “by others” because as a young architectural student or graduate architect, I
never felt that I could speak on this. I fitted in as best as I could and focused steadfastly on my ambitions. This has become a
mode of operating that is so entrenched, that even now, when addressing diversity, I feel ill at ease to talk of my challenges.
But if I do not feel at ease to speak, I definitely want to do so, and the opportunity to get involved in a meaningful way about a
matter that is very close to home rather than sit on the side-lines was another reason for joining the Company. If the
Company’s vision is to influence our industry to not only open itself up to people of ethnic backgrounds and women, but to
provide pathways so that they can contribute their immense talents and become a beacon for others that need to see that it is
very much possible and ordinary for them to succeed in our industry, I want to be part of that.

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Autumn 2019 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Page 21