How we work
Upper Bailiff and Officers
The Worshipful Company of Weavers is constituted by Royal Charter, the first in 1155, and the present Charter was granted by Queen Anne on the 17th November 1707. The Company is governed by the Upper Bailiff, the Renter Bailiff, two Wardens and (since 1300) a Court of Assistants, supported by a number of specialist committees. The Court includes those Assistants who are waiting to progress through the ranks to become Upper Bailiff. Those who have been through “the Chair” are known as Past Upper Bailiffs. The Officers are elected annually on St James’s Day when the Company holds its Common Hall. The Company’s year runs from the date of the Upper Bailiff’s Installation, traditionally the first week in October. The Upper and Renter Warden are elected direct from the Livery and represent the more junior members of the Company.
Company Officers
William Makower
Upper Bailiff
Paul Morris
Renter Bailiff
Tom Bacon
Upper Warden
James Wyman
Renter Warden
Weavers' Company Staff
The Company employs a small number of full-time and part-time staff headed by a Chief Executive traditionally called ‘The Clerk’. The administrative structure is managed by the Office which is responsible for all Membership matters, Charitable Grants, Support to Primary Schools, Weavers’ Company events, accounting and the Upper Bailiff’s daily programme. There is also a small team managing and running the Almshouses in Wanstead.
The Clerk: James Gaselee
Purpose of the Company
The purpose of the Company is to uphold and enhance the traditions, fellowship and assets of the Company in order to apply these for the benefit of the weaving and textile industry, the Company’s chosen charitable objectives and future generations of the Company.
The Weavers' Company Charter 1155
Company Committees
A number of Company Committees, comprising members of Court, the Livery and certain staff members, carry out the purpose of the Company. Where possible, the specialist skill sets and knowledge of members are utilised in order to enhance Committee effectiveness. Committees are normally chaired by a Past Upper Bailiff of the Company; the Chair and members of the Committee tend to serve for three to five years depending on their specialist knowledge. The Clerk is the Secretary of each committee and acts as the continuity. The Company has the following committees:
- The Court. The Court is the executive board of the Company.
- The Finance & General Purposes Committee. The Finance & General Purposes Committee is responsible for management and operation of the Company.
- The Investment Committee. The Investment Committee ensures that the Company’s assets are maintained and enhanced.
- The Selection Committee. The Selection Committee ensures that there are sufficient members of the Company of an appropriate calibre to manage effectively the Company, its charities and their resources.
- The Wardens’ Committee. The Wardens’ Committee is responsible for engaging the younger members of the Company.
- The Charitable Grants Committee. The Charitable Grants Committee applies its income to support work in two specific areas of interest: the rehabilitation of offenders, particularly young offenders, both in prison and after release, and helping young people at risk of criminal involvement to make better life choices and fulfil their potential. More detail can be found in the Charitable Grants pages.
- The Primary Schools Committee. The Primary Schools Committee provides help to three primary schools in areas of social deprivation, to maximise the impact of the Weavers’ Company contribution by focusing, where possible, on themes of common interest across the selected partner schools and to contribute to the Company’s wider charitable objective of helping young people at risk. Further details can be found on the Primary schools page.
- The Textile Committee. The Textile Committee encourages excellence in all spheres of the United Kingdom woven textile industry by identifying, supporting and nurturing exceptional students training for and young talent working within the industry, supporting centres of excellence in textile education and by recognising and working with those who have made the most significant contributions to the textile industry. Further details can be found in the Textiles pages.
- The Almshouses Committee. The Company, through the Almshouses Committee, is committed to providing sheltered housing for ‘poor and necessitous’ elderly people which meets high standards and which represents an example of good provision locally, nationally and against Livery Company standards of excellence. Further details can be found on the Almshouses page.
