The Clothworkers' Company is governed by its 1528 Charter, subsequent charters and the Ordinances. Ordinances were issued in 1532, 1629 and, most recently, in 1984.
Find out more about the Company's Charters, including an English translation of the 1528 Charter >>
Find out more about the current Ordinances, including a downloadable copy >> The Ordinances are clarified and modified by Standing Orders. The most recent Standing Orders were agreed by Order of Court in 2004. These are available for members only in the members’ area.
The Court of Assistants
The governing body of the Company is known as the Court of Assistants. The Trustees of The Clothworkers' Foundation are drawn from the Court and are known as Governors. The Court is headed by the Master and consists of 4 Wardens and a variable number of Assistants. The work of the Court is assisted by a number of subsidiary Committees.
Master The Master of the Company is elected annually in July and serves for one year and will represent the Company on ceremonial occasions.
View a list of Masters of the Company from 1528 >>
Wardens
The Company has four Wardens, the two most senior being the prospective Masters for the following two years. An Assistant has to have served as Warden in order to be eligible to serve as Master.
The Livery
The Livery represent the more senior members of the Company, from whom the Court of Assistants are elected. Members of the Livery also have a role in City government, by being entitled to vote for the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at Common Hall.
Company Officers and Staff
The Clerk is the equivalent of the chief executive. The Assistant Clerk is his deputy and deals primarily with Asset Management, Legal and Personnel issues. The Beadle deals with Events and Hall Management. The Company also has a Chaplain, an Accountant, an Archivist and a body of staff numbering around 25.
View a list of Clerks of the Company from 1528 >> 