Liveryman

About Liverymen

When a Freeman becomes a Liveryman, the candidate is said to be 'clothed': a livery gown is placed on them at the Court ceremony. Thereafter only the Master, Wardens and Clerks are seen wearing these at formal Company events.

Liverymen no longer have any local authority franchise in the City, but retain the exclusive right of voting in the election of the Lord Mayor of the City of London (Michaelmas 'Common Hall' at the end of September) and for the Sheriffs (Midsummer 'Common Hall' at the end of June) held in Guildhall as a ceremonial occasion.


Within the Company only Liverymen may serve as chairs of the standing committees and only Liverymen may apply for election to Court and further advancement to be Wardens and Master.

The WCIB Court selects new Liverymen on the recommendation of the Livery Admissions Committee. New Liverymen make an Oath in front of the Master and Court and pay a Livery Fine of £550 which includes a Liveryman's lapel badge to be worn at Company and Civic events.

Freemen interested in applying should read the information on Becoming a Liveryman before contacting the Clerk to discuss their application.

The Responsibilities and Privileges of members of the Livery

Responsibilities

If you become a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers, you will be encouraged to participate in Company activities by:

• Supporting the aims and objectives of our Company, including the Lord George Principles for Good Business Conduct
• Engaging with its charitable endeavour and our work in the field of education
• Encouraging younger members and journey men through the mentoring scheme
• Attending Company events, including those only for Liverymen, such as the Company’s annual Common Hall
• Becoming a member of a committee, such as Liveryman's, Events, Charity & Education, Finance and Communications committees, or the Court
• Representing the Company at Livery events
• Including the Company as a beneficiary in your will

Privileges

Liverymen can:

• Participate in all Company dinners and lunches, including those for Liverymen only
• Serve as Chair of a committee
• Be considered for advancement to Warden and Master
• Vote in the elections of the Lord Mayor of the City of London and the two elected Sheriffs at Common Halls held at the Guildhall
• Stand for the post of Sheriff of the City of London

Progression to Liveryman

Any member of the Freedom may put themselves forward for progression to Liveryman and we encourage all Freemen to consider doing so.

Criteria to be considered for Liveryman status

WCIB Liverymen candidates are expected to meet several of the following criteria:

• Be a Freeman of the Company for a minimum of two years
• Be a Freeman of the City of London
• Be engaged with the Company and support it with their attendance at events
• Support the Company in its charitable endeavours
• Contribute to the aims of the Company, perhaps by volunteering, participating in the committees, mentoring junior members, providing content for 'The ‘International Banker’ or offering skills from which the Company may benefit
• Affirm their continued support and contribution to the aims of the Company

Selection process

Recommendations for new Liverymen are made to Court following a meeting with the Livery Admissions Committee.

1. First, a candidate for progression should send an email to the Clerk outlining:
   
   • Reasons for wishing to progress within the Company
   • Involvement with the Company and within the City of London to date, and
   • Future objectives within the Company as a Liveryman
2. A short interview will then follow by Zoom with the Liveryman Admissions Committee, which will be keen to understand the Freeman’s involvement with the Company in the past and in the future and to get to know the candidate better. Involvement with the Company can include attendance at events, joining a committee, acting as a mentor for more junior members or involvement in the Company’s charitable activities.
3. Involvement in the City of London is also considered, including employment and other charitable activities. The committee will be keen to hear a candidate’s views on the Company’s future development. There will be an opportunity to ask questions.
4. Shortly after the interview, the committee will decide whether to recommend the candidate’s Liveryman application or to require some further activity within the Company for a short period. The recommendation of the committee is then sent to the Court to be approved or amended by the Court.
5. New Liverymen will be clothed at a Company admissions ceremony, typically after a Court meeting. As part of the clothing ceremony, each member is required to make a declaration in front of the Master and Court and also pay a Livery Fine (a one-off membership fee) of £550, which includes a Liveryman's lapel badge to be worn at Company and Civic events.

Historical Background and Civic Life

The term livery originated in the specific form of dress worn by retainers of a nobleman and then by extension to distinctive clothing and badges to denote the status of belonging to a trade. In mediaeval times these became symbols of privilege and protection and were worn by guild members to distinguish between each other. The grant and control of these was regulated by the Court of Aldermen.

Livery companies evolved from London’s mediaeval Guilds, eventually becoming Corporations under Royal Charter, responsible for training in their respective trades and crafts, as well as for the regulation of aspects such as wage control, labour conditions and industry standards.

Initially, municipal authority had rested with the Lord Mayor and his Aldermen (elder men, one from each of London’s 28 wards) but by 1285, a second level of authority that came to be known as “common councilmen” (citizens elected from each ward to “counsel” the Aldermen on “common” affairs of the City). Membership of a Ward Club is an excellent way to meet additional people who have influence over the way the City is run, and to initiate a personal engagement in the corporate processes. Each ward also elects an Alderman who has jurisdiction over the Ward and who attends the Court of Aldermen.

Liverymen no longer have any local authority franchise in the City but retain the exclusive right of voting in the election of the Lord Mayor of the City of London (Michaelmas ‘Common Hall’) and the two elected Sheriffs (Midsummer ‘Common Hall’) held in Guildhall as a ceremonial occasion.