Installation Dinner embraces the past, present and future

The Installation Dinner for Master Sara Fardon took place in the historic Goldsmiths’ Hall which has been on the same site since 1339, with the current magnificent building completed in 1835.

She spoke of her pride at becoming Master of a Company that contributes so much to the success of the City of London.

“I am privileged to represent such a vibrant and forward-looking organisation, one that continues to evolve whilst remaining true to its values.

“Our members contribute to the success of the City of London, the global insurance capital, and beyond. In our own right we have much to be proud of.

“We have broadened our activities and strengthened our relevance both within the insurance industry and the wider Livery family and City Civic.”

It was also an opportunity for her to remind everyone about her themes for the year: creating a greater sense of belonging to the WCI, promoting literacy among young people and raising awareness about pensions, all linked by a clear focus of the future.

The guest speaker was Brendan McCafferty, a WCI member who is currently chairman of NEST – the National Employments Savings Trust.

He spoke about the challenge of ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to save for retirement against the background of one in four people having less than £100 in savings: “We have to be realistic about how difficult it is for many to save for retirement”.

NEST supports a wide range of small businesses and individuals saving for their retirement and has £68bn in assets, £12bn of which are invested directly back into the UK through windfarms, shopping centres, ports and housing.

He was in no doubt about the importance of the work NEST is doing: “I believe auto-enrolment is the most successful social policy of our generation”.

The many distinguished guests at the Dinner were toasted by Junior Warden Claire McDonald.

The Master concluded by reminding everyone that the WCI has the huge privilege of being the Mother Company of the Lady Mayor-elect Dame Susan Langley:

“Our team has truly enjoyed working with you this year. On behalf of everyone here, we wish you all the best for the silent ceremony, the Lady Mayor’s Show and the exciting year ahead.”

The Lady Mayor-Elect briefly responded by saying how the insurance industry had always felt like a family to which she belonged.

• At the Court Meeting earlier in the day nine members were clothed as Liverymen and Liverywomen. Congratulations to them: John Bethell, Sarah Brown, Leon Briggs, Paul Galpin, Hannah Gurga, Jake Iveson, Sarah Iveson, Polina Konstantinova, Noemi Wall.

• The dinner was preceded by the Annual Church Service at St Lawrence Jewry, presided over by Fr James Titley, the Company's Honorary Chaplain. The procession from Goldsmiths' Hall to the church was led by the Company's Beagle, Lee Taylor, followed by the Master and Wardens.

Photos by: Jonathan Cherry