Master’s New Year Message
Dear fellow Constructors,
As you read this message I hope you will have had an enjoyable and relaxing Christmas. Lindsey and I wish you and your loved ones best wishes for the year ahead!
While the baton of Master may have changed the Company continues to move from strength to strength. The work of our members in committees and Livery organisations continues to inspire me.
In October I was delighted and proud to sign, on behalf of the Company our Climate Action Plan. We are the second Livery Company to complete this important milestone thanks to the hard work of the Climate Action Committee (CAC). The CAC are now developing strategies to deliver the plan and move us towards being a zero carbon Company.
Of the many visits and events I have attended as our Company’s representative two have stood out for me. The first was Teambuild Uk where 60 newly qualified construction professionals were put through their paces at a residential weekend. They were set real life challenges whilst being judged in a competitive spirit. The effort and determination that the candidates exhibited was amazing as was the dedication from the organisers who included Past Masters Richard Rooley and Patricia Bessey.
It was with great pleasure that the recommendation to Court, to financially support this great event, was met with enthusiasm from our Charitable Trust. Indeed, our usual donation of £5000 was doubled to help overcome the extra overheads incurred by Covid19. Fellow Constructors, you should be proud of the part you played with your charitable donation.
The second was a visit to a weekend training camp in Crowborough Sussex, to meet with our affiliates, 14 Company Army Cadets. Here a group of 100 young adults were challenged with many different tasks from emergency First Aid tests to orienteering, archery and many more “stage tasks”. it was great to see their enthusiasm,teamwork and discipline shining through.. Working with the Charitable Trust we are looking at how we might support them further next year.
In my last message I talked about the Company’s priorities for the year.
The first was fellowship. We have seen many Constructors at our formal and informal events over the last months. There were particularly large gatherings for the Ironmongers Christmas lunch and the Company Carol Service. I know the Events Committee are working hard to bring more opportunities for us to get together so please watch this space and push yourself to get involved!
The Livery and Awards Dinner at Goldsmiths Hall on the 22nd February has been advertised and I look forward to seeing many of you there at this most enjoyable evening.
The Master’s Weekend takes us to the great naval City of Portsmouth from the 30th June- 2nd July. It will start with an informal dinner in the Maritime Club Portsmouth on the Friday evening. On Saturday morning there is a choice to either visit the Historic Dockyard including all the favourites of the Mary Rose and HMS Victory etc. or take a walk around Old Portsmouth and learn the history.
What I hope to be the highlight of the weekend will be a black tie dinner on the marvellous gun deck of HMS Warrior 1860. We will have exclusive use of the ship and will benefit from a private tour as we enjoy the evening. Sunday will take us to the grand Portsmouth Cathedral of the sea, for those who wish to attend. Please look out for the flyer and hopefully we will see you there!
The second was connecting with the City and the wider construction industry. Much work has been undertaken to strengthen the relationship between our Company and the Federation for the Built Environment (fbe) from which our Company originated nearly 50 years ago.
With members of our CAC sitting on the Livery Climate Action Group and Court Assistant John Sayers working on the City Livery ProBono Committee, our efforts are being recognised within the City.
The third priority was growing membership. As a result of the amazing activity of our Membership Boost Group, we have seen a magnificent rise in the volume of new applicants, to the point where we have had to double the number of interview slots! Fellow Constructors, we need your help, please take the opportunity to talk to your professional network, promote and recommend your Company to them. Our team are ready and willing to pick it up from there.
The fourth was supporting our Charitable Trust to donate members generous giving to good causes. As mentioned above, the Charitable Trust has been proactive in donating and there are plans to donate circa £50,000 to good causes this year. We are totally aligned and working hard together to deliver against our Company charitable goals.
The last piece of news from me in this report is that we have created a 5 year strategic plan for the Company under the banner of “Constructors: The Future”. I am very excited about the potential of this plan and was delighted that the next 6 Masters (God willing etc) all participated in developing the plan, have fully bought into it and will own it for the next 5 years.
Individual Membership Derek Farrow: Grow the Company to 500 members. A step change in recruitment activity required to get to, and maintain, a company with 500 members including apprentices Yeomen, freemen, and liverymen.
Create a Corporate Membership Deborah Pullen
Corporate membership to: Underpin the Company’s Finances – 50% of costs (i.e £50k)
Being the recognized Force in the Construction Livery Grouping, within the City of London, and in the wider Construction Industry. Tim Fitch. Developing plans to use the skills and knowledge of our members and to be seen as a leading force.
Broadening the appeal of membership through clear and demonstrable value Henry Lamb
Active engagement of the members, reduction in the number of leavers by maintaining a robust and inspiring calendar of events that caters to all and represents the Industry
Charitable Giving – Social Impact Andrew Hornby. What is the social impact of our giving?
A collective vision of how we influence our giving, how do we demonstrate this in a value based format
Constructors: The Future is still in the investigative phase and we still seek input from yourselves in how to shape and develop the strategy.
You will see, while we continue to drive the Company forward while holding dear all the tradition and history that we all hold so dear!
Warm regards
David