Worshipful Company of Constructors
Encyclopedia
The Worshipful Company of Constructors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London
. The Company aims to bring together those professionally qualified individuals concerned with aspects of building design, execution, management, vision and economic appraisal.
The Company's origins date from 1976 when a group of members of The Faculty of Building met for the first inaugural meeting. The Company of Constructors was recognised by the City of London Corporation in 1985 as a City Company without Livery in 1985, and became a Livery Company in 1990.
The Constructors' Company ranks 99th in the order of precedence for Livery Companies.
It is a modern company, one of 30 formed since 1948. The origins of many City Livery Companies are tied to the building crafts - Carpenters, Masons, Plaisterers,etc. Other, more recent Companies are formed from onstruction professions (e.g.: Surveyors, Engineers, Architects) and are restricted to an individual profession.
The Constructors' Company embraces professionals from all parts of construction, as well as those, like lawyers and accountants, who work with the industry. The Company supports fellowship, education and training and charitable giving, thus following the ancient traditions of City of London Livery Companies.
The Court has a number of Committees reporting to it:
- The Election Committee interviews all applicants for the Freedom of the Company.
- The General Purposes Committee deals with all financial and most other management and policy matters.
- The Scholarships and Awards Committee oversees Scholarships and Prizes, and is responsible for our links to schools.
- The Charity Committee makes recommendations to the Trustees for disbursement of available charitable funds.
- The Privileges Committee makes recommendations on entry to the Court, and advancement within it.
- The Publicity and Events Committee looks at communications issues and the events programme.
- The Sponsorship Committee explores partnerships with construction industry organisations which will enable the Company to further its charitable and educational work.
There are various grades of membership. Most new members join as Freemen, in the process making certain commitments, or Obligations, to the Company. Freemen are entitled to apply to the City Chamberlain to become a Freeman of the City of London. That achieved, and after a period of satisfactory service with the Company, a Freeman can apply to become a full Liveryman, which entitles him or her to vote in City elections and attend certain events, like the United Guilds Service at St Paul's Cathedral.
Other grades of membership include Yeomen - most of whom have been scholars or prize winners; Apprentices - bound to a Liveryman or member of the Court for a prescribed period of indenture, and inroled at Guildhall; Companion - the widow or widower of a member of the Court or a Liveryman. The Company has recently admitted its first International Constructors.
This structure enables the Company to go about its business
Fellowship is a key aspect of the Company's activities. Each year there are three formal dinners and a programme of smaller events and activities. These provide an excellent opportunity to meet and entertain friends, colleagues, clients and family members, either in one of the City's splendid livery halls or another suitable venue.
There are Fines and Fees for entering into the Freedom and Livery of the Company as well as an annual quarterage (subscription) charge. Members are also expected to contribute to the Charity Fund.
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
. The Company aims to bring together those professionally qualified individuals concerned with aspects of building design, execution, management, vision and economic appraisal.
The Company's origins date from 1976 when a group of members of The Faculty of Building met for the first inaugural meeting. The Company of Constructors was recognised by the City of London Corporation in 1985 as a City Company without Livery in 1985, and became a Livery Company in 1990.
The Constructors' Company ranks 99th in the order of precedence for Livery Companies.
Key events
- The Company of Builders was established in 1976
- Recognised as a City Company without livery on 11 June 1985
- The grant of livery to "The Worshipful Company of Constructors" was made on 12 June 1990
- Letters Patent were presented on 20 September 1990.
It is a modern company, one of 30 formed since 1948. The origins of many City Livery Companies are tied to the building crafts - Carpenters, Masons, Plaisterers,etc. Other, more recent Companies are formed from onstruction professions (e.g.: Surveyors, Engineers, Architects) and are restricted to an individual profession.
The Constructors' Company embraces professionals from all parts of construction, as well as those, like lawyers and accountants, who work with the industry. The Company supports fellowship, education and training and charitable giving, thus following the ancient traditions of City of London Livery Companies.
Organisation
The Company is governed by a Court (see separate section) comprising some 30 people; some are elected officers - The Master and Wardens for example - and others either aspire to those positions, or, like the Pastmasters, have held office and remain to give the Court the benefit of their experience.The Court has a number of Committees reporting to it:
- The Election Committee interviews all applicants for the Freedom of the Company.
- The General Purposes Committee deals with all financial and most other management and policy matters.
- The Scholarships and Awards Committee oversees Scholarships and Prizes, and is responsible for our links to schools.
- The Charity Committee makes recommendations to the Trustees for disbursement of available charitable funds.
- The Privileges Committee makes recommendations on entry to the Court, and advancement within it.
- The Publicity and Events Committee looks at communications issues and the events programme.
- The Sponsorship Committee explores partnerships with construction industry organisations which will enable the Company to further its charitable and educational work.
There are various grades of membership. Most new members join as Freemen, in the process making certain commitments, or Obligations, to the Company. Freemen are entitled to apply to the City Chamberlain to become a Freeman of the City of London. That achieved, and after a period of satisfactory service with the Company, a Freeman can apply to become a full Liveryman, which entitles him or her to vote in City elections and attend certain events, like the United Guilds Service at St Paul's Cathedral.
Other grades of membership include Yeomen - most of whom have been scholars or prize winners; Apprentices - bound to a Liveryman or member of the Court for a prescribed period of indenture, and inroled at Guildhall; Companion - the widow or widower of a member of the Court or a Liveryman. The Company has recently admitted its first International Constructors.
This structure enables the Company to go about its business
Fellowship is a key aspect of the Company's activities. Each year there are three formal dinners and a programme of smaller events and activities. These provide an excellent opportunity to meet and entertain friends, colleagues, clients and family members, either in one of the City's splendid livery halls or another suitable venue.
There are Fines and Fees for entering into the Freedom and Livery of the Company as well as an annual quarterage (subscription) charge. Members are also expected to contribute to the Charity Fund.