The Company and its structure
In 2000, the Company of Water Conservators was granted Livery and became the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators. It was incorporated by Royal Charter in 2005. The Constitution and Ordinances describe the purpose and organisation of the Company, and Standing Orders set out in detail how the Company is to be administered.
As with other Livery Companies, the strategic direction of the Company lies with its Court, comprising Master, Wardens, Past Masters and Court Assistants. The Master is supported by three Wardens named (in order of seniority) after three of London’s rivers: the Thames, Fleet and Walbrook. The Master and Wardens are elected annually by the Court.
Membership to the Court is by election from the Company’s Liverymen. Court Assistants bring a wide range of skills and experience to the management and direction of the Company.
The Company has one main committee – The Finance, Membership and General Purposes Committee, which reports to the Court. Other matters are dealt with by ad hoc sub-committees reporting to the Committee or the Court.
The Clerk deals not only with the day-to-day administration of the Company but also provides continuity and expert advice on Livery Company procedures and City traditions.
The Company has a number of officers to assist with its day-to-day responsibilities, including an Honorary Chaplain to attend to the spiritual needs of the Company, an Almoner to attend to welfare needs, a Beadle to preserve order, and a Barge Master to attend to the Company’s cutter, the Water Forget-me-not.
The Company has honoured certain individuals as Honorary Freemen and liverymen who have performed meritorious services for the Company.
The Company’s Patron Saint is St Christopher, adopted in 2008 following consultation with the Chaplain and within the Company, reflecting his strong connection to rivers and waterways.
The Company has a Past Masters Committee which supports the Company and its development.
Who does what?
The Company is dependent on the work of many people. The list below is updated regularly.
Where possible please contact the named individual direct rather than via the clerk.
| Master: | Mr Tom Flood OBE |
| Thames Warden: | Dr Alex Money |
| Fleet Warden: | Mr David Lloyd Owen |
| Walbrook Warden: | Mr Neil Reynolds |
| Deputy Master: | Professor Carolyn Roberts |
| Incoming Wardens: | Mr David Lloyd Owen, Mr Neil Reynolds |
| Clerk: | Col. Chris Millett |
| Â | |
| Company Treasurer: | Mr Ken Marsh |
| Chair of the Trust: | Mr Roger North |
| Secretary to the Trust: | Mr Dharmesh Joshi |
| Chair of the Past Masters’ Committee: | Mr David Jones |
| Lead on modernisation of Company systems: | Dr Alex Money |
| Beadle: | Mr Mark Anderson |
| Company Bargemaster (cutter manager): | Mr Stuart Smith |
| Manager of Associates Programme: | Dr Ramon Bravo |
| Company Solicitor: | Mr David Jones, then Mr Tim Weller |
| Company Almoner: | Mr Trevor Harrington |
| School education links: | Mr Rob Casey |
| University education links: | Professor Martin Bigg |
| Recruitment of new Company members: | Mr Tom Flood OBE |
| Corporate links and sponsorship: | Mr Mark Lane |
| Individual links and sponsorship: | Mr Peter Hall |
| Military and youth organisation links: | Mr Trevor Harrington |
| Construction Livery Group link: | Professor Martin Bigg |
| Wet 10 Livery Group link: | Mr Colin Drummond OBE DL |
| Government policy responses: | Dr David Lloyd Owen, with Dr Peter Matthews |
| Webinars: | Mr Rob Casey |
| City Livery Action Group link: | Mr Rob Casey |
| City Water Debate: | Mr Colin Drummond OBE DL |
| City Environment Debate: | Mr Allan Barton |
| Chatham House discussions: | Mr Colin Drummond OBE DL |
| Website updates: | Professor Martin Bigg |
| Newsletter: | Mr Rob Casey |
| Informal social events: | Ms Christine Jarvis |
| Company merchandise: | Ms Fiona Daly |
| Photography for Company events and activities: | Ms Eileen Bigg |
| Press releases: | Mr Nick Higham |
| Lord/Lady Mayor’s Show: | Mr Peter Hall and Mr Andy Williamson |