Pan FSG Members Event by the Information Technologists: Digital Safety from Fraud and Scams Seminar
2025-06-12 18:00 - 20:30 (Europe/London) | Information Technologists’ Hall, 39a Bartholomew Close, London, EC1A 7JN
Dear FSG Company Member
The Information Technologists is launching its first Pan-FSG event on 12th June 6pm; this is open to all members.
Are you worried about the world of fraud and scams whilst we are being forced to use our devices more and more?
Staying safe from these fraud and scams is getting harder and harder, and accelerating with the advent of Artificial Intelligence. In parallel the Banks are closing branches, so options for the old, trusted face to face communications are being depleted which open the doors to scammers to impersonate and engineer you to hand over your hard earned cash.
So what can you do to protect you and your families? The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists (WCIT) is holding an event for members of other FSG Livery Companies on the 12th of June from 18:00 – 20:30 to provide some broad insights into this challenging world and showcase some actions you can take to reduce the risks.
We will host this event at the Information Technologists’ Hall in Bartholomew Close, where the costs are £25 per person to include drinks and canapés.
To book into this event click here
Any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Numbers are limited to 45, so please book in early.
Kind Regards
Paul
Junior Warden
FSG (City Financial Services Group) Representative
Court Assistant of The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
39a Bartholomew Close | London | EC1A 7JN
paul.finch@member.wcit.org.uk
www.wcit.org.uk
+44(0)7710 445837

Orchestral Mass at St Paul's Cathedral
2025-06-22 11:15 - 13:00 | St Paul’s Cathedral, St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD, United Kingdom
As a Thank You for a Chartered Accountants’ Livery Charity grant, St Paul’s Music Department are offering you front-row seats to the Orchstral Mass on Sunday 22 June 2025, followed by a Drinks Reception in the Chapter House.
Step into the awe-inspiring grandeur of St. Paul’s Cathedral and experience St Paul’s main Sunday morning service with music from City of London Sinfonia. Orchestral masses blends timeless liturgy with transcendent musical artistry, featuring a full orchestra and world-class choir.
Sung Eucharist is the high point of weekly worship at St Paul’s, engaging the senses with sound, colour and movement. This service includes choral and orchestral music, hymn singing, and a sermon.

During the service, the congregation will be invited to share in the bread and wine. If you receive communion in your own church, you are welcome to receive communion at St Paul’s. If you do not normally receive communion, you are invited to come forward and receive a blessing.
You do not have to be a practicing member of the Church of England to attend the Eucharist. If you are unfamiliar with the service, you can pick up an easy-to-follow order of service at the beginning, which will guide you through each part. Visit St Paul’s guidance on attending services at St Paul’s for more information on what to expect.

Date: Sunday 22 June 2025
Time: 11.15am
Followed by a drinks reception in the Chapter House, then an optional lunch nearby
Tickets: No charge for the Mass and Drinks
Just pay for what you have at lunch.
Music: Mozart’s Coronation Mass Missa brevis in C (KV 257) “Große Credo-messe”

Shrieval Election and Lunch 2025, with former Sheriff Andrew Marsden
2025-06-24 11:30 - 16:00 | Guildhall Club, Guildhall Club, Guildhall West Wing, Gresham St, London, London, EC2V 7HH, United Kingdom
Twice a year, the City of London Corporation’s Common Hall is transformed from a standard local authority meeting on civic issues, into a day of great ceremony. Click here for more history and information.
Each autumn, Liverymen elect the next year’s Lord Mayor and every summer, it’s the turn of the two Sheriffs.
After Common Hall, many Liveries go home, but the Master Chartered Accountant hosts a private Reception and Lunch in the Aldermen’s Dining Room.
We go up to Guildhall’s roof terrace on the fourth floor for the Reception and then into the Dining Room for lunch.
This summer, we will all be delighted to welcome former Sheriff, Past Master Marketor and former FSG Chairman, Andrew Marsden, as our Principal Guest. Andrew will talk to us after the meal about what happens to you, if lucky enough to be elected Sheriff, between that election and when you actually emerge, blinking into the light, as a shiny new Sheriff in September. Happily, Andrew has promised to be highly indiscrete!
Partners and guests are very welcome and will be able to have coffee and explore the Guildhall Gallery, while Liverymen are attending the Election Ceremony.

11.30am – Coffee
11.45am – All attending the Election Ceremony must be seated
12noon – Shrieval Election Ceremony
12.45pm – Drinks in the Aldermen’s Dining Room
1.15pm – Lunch in the Aldermen’s Dining Room

Dress: lounge suit or smart day wear
Tickets: £98, for Drinks Reception and Lunch

Master's Weekend in Poole, visiting the RNLI and the Royal Marines
2025-06-27 16:00 - 2025-06-29 14:30 | RNLI HQ Poole
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is one of those great Victorian foundations, the merits of which are as starkly obvious today as they when it was founded. Now a massive national charity, the RNLI today protects seafarers and beach users of all the beaches and waters around the UK, and also those of the Republic of Ireland. It does this through 238 lifeboat stations and 242 lifeguard units. The former deploy a fleet of 432 rescue craft, which they launch about 10,000 times each year, while the latter goes to the aid of some 20,000 people on and around the beaches annually. These services are provided by nearly 10,000 lifeboat volunteers and about 2,500 paid staff, including lifeguards.
The RNLI HQ is down in Poole Harbour, where it also recently built a unique and rather smart training college (with extremely comfortable, boat-themed, ensuite bedrooms), which has some rather unusual training facilities. Next door it has constructed an equally specialist factory, in which it builds its iconic and extremely capable lifeboats. For obvious reasons, the public have access to scarcely any of the site, which is entirely focussed on the RNLI volunteers and employees, who go there for its myriad of specialist training courses. However, the Master has persuaded the Principal to allow a party from our Company to stay at the College during the last weekend in June, to see what they do there, how a busy lifeboat station operates, and how the lifeboats are built and maintained.
The Royal Marines are one of our nation’s two premier light infantry units, and with their amphibious focus, they have bases in various coastal locations around the UK. By chance, one such base is in Poole, located just across the harbour from the RNLI College. We have long affiliated to the key unit on that Camp and as we will be in town, the CO has kindly invited us over for a private supper, briefing and kit demonstration, when we arrive on the Friday evening.
Full details of the weekend will be issued nearer the time, but the broad timetable is as follows:
Friday
4 – 6.30pm Check in at RNLI College and settle into our rooms (A deliberately wide arrival window, to allow for Friday evening traffic etc!)
6.30pm Private taxis to RM Poole Camp for evening of briefings, demos and buffet supper; then coach back to RNLI after
9.30pm Quiz for any brave night owls in the RNLI bar
Saturday
8 – 9.30am Breakfast in the College Dining Hall
10am – 12pm Half the party is given a private tour of the College (Tips: Don’t get swept into the pool, and try not to crash the lifeboat.) and the lifeboat factory next door
The other half visits Poole Harbour, the Lifeboat Museum and the Lifeboat Station, for a briefing and walk thru the in-shore lifeboats
1 – 2pm Lunch in the College Dining Hall
2.30 – 4.30pm Both groups swap round
6pm Black tie drinks reception, up in the Panoramic Banqueting Suite on the top floor of the College
6.30 – 10pm Four-course Dinner with guest speaker from the RNLI about the organisations, future plans etc. Q&A follows
Sunday
8 – 9.30am Breakfast in the College Dining Hall
10am – 12pm Secret event
12.30 – 2pm Optional lunch in the College Dining Hall, for those who wish to eat before leaving
There are deliberately gaps built into the schedule, so Members and their guests will have time to relax and perhaps explore Poole. (BTW: there is rather a nice souvenir shop in the College, which is worth a visit. They sell some truly amazing wellies!)
Apart from the black tie dinner on the Saturday evening, and the visit to RM Poole, (where we will show respect for our hosts by wearing jacket and tie etc), dress for the weekend is entirely casual, with jeans and training shoes being fine. The College, its lifeboat station and its factory are all working sites, with a tinge of the industrial about them, and so personal comfort and sure-footed safety are paramount.
The whole weekend costs £560 for a person booking an ensuite bedroom to themselves at the College, and £880 for a couple sharing a room (ie £440 each).
These sums cover everything except the lunch on the Saturday and the optional one on the Sunday (ie RM Poole visit and supper, two nights’ bed & breakfast in College, College tour, lifeboat station and museum visits, and Saturday’s black tie Dinner). We will pay for our lunches ourselves, because the menu in the College Dining Room is simply too varied and Members will doubtless wish to make their own choices. (The food prices are reasonable.)
Poole Railway Station is about 700 yards’ walk from the College, and for those who wish to drive, free parking has been arranged on site.
The College can accommodate up to 50 Members and guests that particular weekend, so bookings will have to be allocated on a “First-Come-First-Served” basis.

Learn about getting the Freedom of the City
2025-07-08 16:00 - 17:00 | On Zoom
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7587475117?omn=86253028216

Ever wondered what it means to get the Freedom of the City of London?
Or how you go about getting it?!
Join this webinar to hear from Laura Clerk, Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court who could probably do Freedom Ceremony in her sleep!
This event is open to anyone interested in learning a bit more about the history, and the process of getting Freedom.

Speakers:
Laura Miller, Clerk of the Chamberlain’s Court
Secretary to the Livery Committee (Vicky Andrew) about process for getting clothed.
Someone who has recently been through the Freedom of City of London Ceremony
There will be an opportunity for questions

All Freemen of the Company are encouraged to attend this event, to find out about the next step in their Livery journey.
Liverymen who are current or potential future mentors to our newer members are also welcome.

This is free; no cost to attendees.
No need to book – just turn up, but it would be useful if we could have some indication.
Please email Vicky Andrew on millcove1912@gmail.com
There will be an opportunity for questions.
Date: Tuesday 8th July
Time: 4pm-5pm
Location: Zoom
The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7587475117?omn=86253028216

Gilbert and Sullivan's "Iolanthe"
2025-07-12 17:30 - 21:00 | Buckingham Parish Church, Castle Street, Buckingham, MK18 1BS, United Kingdom
Iolanthe is very much one of “The Big Four”, as regards Gilbert and Sullivan’s famous light operettas. It combines great tunes with an intricate storyline, half a fairy, lots of full fairies, a blushing Ward of Court, a susceptible Lord Chancellor and seemingly most of the House of Lords – plus a rather chivalrous guardsman. Inevitably, they all get their respective lives into a frightful tangle!
Iolanthe’s words and music are so strong that they are often performed “in concert” and that is what a party of us is going to see this July, performed by the highly-regarded Buckingham Choral Society, in Buckingham Parish Church.
A leading light of the Society is our own Court Assistant Miles Hedges, who a number of us saw in an outstanding performance of The Mikado in the same location, a few years ago.
The concert starts at 7.30pm, so we are going to meet for a “theatre supper” beforehand at 5.45pm, at the well-regarded Prego (a good, family-run Italian restaurant), which is just a short walk from the church.
Tickets cost £70, to include the meal, (reasonable!) drinks, and tickets to the concert.
There are only ten places, so early booking is advisable.

Celebration Church Service before the Annual Banquet
2025-07-16 17:30 - 18:00 | St Stephen Walbrook, 39 Walbrook, London, EC4N 8BN, United Kingdom
As a Company, we always used to hold our annual service on Installation Day, but because that was already so crowded, the service had to start impractically early – typically, 3pm.
Oddly, the evening of the Annual Banquet evening is only annual occasion, when we meet together in numbers, when there is not already something else to be done before we all dine. This year, therefore, the service, at which we remember those Livery friends no longer with us, give thanks for our Livery Company and the good we can still do, and look ahead to the future, will be held just before the Banquet at the much more manageable time of 5.30pm.
Clearly, proximity to Mansion House is a consideration when selecting the church, and happily, the Master has been able to persuade the delightful Rector of St Stephen Wallbrook, the lovely Wren Church located right next to Mansion house, to let us be the first Livery to worship there after its multi-million pound restoration.
St Stephen is an amazing space architecturally, and one of those very rare churches built “in the round”. Its centre piece is a huge, circular altar carved by the word-famous sculptor, Jacob Epstein, and it holds other treasures too.
The service will last 30 minutes, and is naturally free. So come along in all your finery (The Rector is joining us at Mansion House, so he may be wearing his evening dress too!) and then we will all walk the few yards across the greet the Lord Mayor and any of our livery friends and guests who have not been able to make the service.

Annual Banquet
2025-07-16 18:15 - 22:30 | Mansion House, Walbrook, London, EC4N 8BH, United Kingdom
This event is always the highpoint of our Livery’s annual social round, and this year should be no exception. Our guests for the evening will include the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, plus at least one Sheriff(!), and there will be other familiar faces too.
During the evening we will be clothing at least one of our Livery friends, and also formally affiliating with II Squadron RAF Regt, (in place of our previous relationship with 47 Sqn, which has recently been put to sleep, pending a new role).
There will, of course, be the usual quarterly report from the Almoner on the work of our excellent Charity, and grants it has made in the name of all of us. The flash appeal on the evening will be in aid of the Little Princess Trust. This charity makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to the side effects of the treatment for their cancers. Amazingly, most of that hair is donated by other children, who witness the dreadful impact of the hair loss on their young friends.
As well as the usual speeches after the meal, there should also be some entertainment. However, that cannot be revealed until the night, but what you will notice on entering the Egyptian Hall to dine, is a stage built to one side.
Talking of speakers, the Lord Mayor aside (who is excellent), our external speaker is The Hon Harry Herbert, who is the son of our late Queen’s racing manager, and today the UK’s leading director of racing syndicates. He has lots of interesting tales to tell from that slightly mad world, and happily for us, only a limited sense of discretion!
So come along, bring your family and friends, and enjoy a spectacular evening out, with all the trimmings and some great entertainment.
Dress is black or white tie, or Livery uniform, plus badges and by dint of some hard negotiating with the powers that be, it has been possible to reduce the price this year to £165 per person.

Romeo and Juliet at The Globe Theatre - Sold Out
2025-07-26 14:00 - 17:00 | The Globe Theatre, United Kingdom
The Events Subcommittee have arranged a visit to the Globe Theatre to see Romeo and Juliet.
WANTED:
Romeo and Juliet
A showdown awaits this summer as the Globe Theatre transforms into the dangerous world of the Wild West for an exciting new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
An ancient grudge between two sworn enemies erupts in bloodshed when their son and daughter fall in love.
Saloon brawls and frenzied parties give way to brutal gunfights and violent retribution as a town divided faces its final frontier.
Rough justice stakes a claim on the optimism and vitality of youth in Shakespeare’s shocking tragedy, directed by Globe Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes (Much Ado About Nothing, 2024; The Comedy of Errors, 2023-24).
Click here for more details from The Globe

Date: Saturday 26 July
Time: 2pm
Running time tbc
Tickets: £80
Tickets are limited, so please book promptly. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
Following the performance, there is dinner together at The Real Greek nearby.

Trip to the Proms, Lunch and Tour of the Royal Albert Hall - Sold Out
2025-08-02 11:00 - 16:00 | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AP, United Kingdom
This singular social event on Saturday, 2nd August, has been some nine months in the planning and the Master had all but given up on it, when he received a confirmatory phone call this morning. (Tuesday, the 22nd – somewhat short notice!)
The world-famous annual round of concerts known as “The Proms” is a great British summer institution, and made all the more so by the fascinating building in which they are held. Built by private subscription from 1867 to 1871, The Royal Albert Hall is an amazing, circular, covered amphitheatre, overlooking Kensington Gardens, just along from Knightsbridge. Today, the Proms apart, it hosts many of the most amazing public shows, circuses, concerts and spectacles (Tennis, anyone?) in London’s annual calendar.
The Master has managed to bag three things which make a visit there truly memorable, namely:
1 11am tickets to a top concerts in this year’s Proms programme – called Viennese Whirl;
2. A 1.15pm table for lunch in “Verdi”, the Albert Hall’s famous Italian restaurant on the first floor; and
3. A 3pm tour of the Hall itself.
Sadly, there are only eight places on this amazing day out, and two of them have already gone, so the remaining six are available on a first-come-first-served basis. In the interests of fairness, you can only bring one guest.
The concert will showcase the world’s most famous Viennese Waltzes, the lunch should be delicious (We’ll do some bistro mathematics for the bill!), and the backstage tour is fascinating.
So come and enjoy a real ‘bucket list” outing on Saturday, 2nd August. Dress is smart casual.

Summer Lunch at Lord's Cricket Ground
2025-08-27 11:30 - 15:30 | Lord’s Cricket Ground, St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 8QN
Lord’s, in leafy St John’s Wood, is the spiritual home of the cricketing world. Owned and managed by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the iconic ground boasts some pretty amazing architecture, including the ornate Victorian-era Pavilion, which dominates one end of the field.
Many Members are avid cricket followers and regular visitors there, but even for those who are not, a trip to Lord’s is to enter a different and extremely interesting world.
We are going as guests of the MCC on a day when no matches are being played, so we should have the place largely to ourselves. We will start with a tour of the ground and then of the Lord’s Museum, which houses the original Ashes Urn, amongst many other treasures, before repairing to the Writing Room, overlooking the main cricket square, for lunch.
The meal will be the usual three courses, with all the trimmings, and our guest speaker will be the famous England international bowler and latterly, England selector, Angus Fraser. Gus played 87 times for England, and remains the all-time most successful bowler in the West Indies, which was quite a feat when one recalls that in his era it was home to the most fearsome team on the international circuit.
Gus was also a long-time giant of the Middlesex County team which included such other greats as Mike Brearley, Andrew Strauss, Mike Gatting, and Phil Edmonds. He followed up his stellar England career by first Captaining the County and then, after a spell as cricket correspondent for The Independent, serving as a highly successful Director of Cricket for 12 years, during which he won an especially nail-biting County Championship final in 2016.
Today, Gus is Director of the cricketing charity, Middlesex in the Community, which the Livery has long supported. He will be talking to us about the big issues in the game at present, what the future may hold and the important work of his charity. He has also kindly agreed to take questions.
Sadly, the Writing Room only seats 60, so you may need to book promptly to avoid disappoint. Dress for this event is always “Summer Garden Party” (ie jacket/blazer and tie for men – no jeans – and the equivalent for ladies.) Guests are most welcome and places cost £129.

Tickets are being sold through Ticket Tailor.
The change to Ticket Tailor is necessary, as the online system we have been using is no longer working reliably. Orders and invoices are being lost, seemingly randomly, which is causing issues for the delivery of events.
Please note: this system requires payment to complete the booking.
If you are unable to order online, please contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org and she can process the order for you.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Central London Tour on a Cream Tea Bus
2025-09-02 15:30 - 17:00 | Golden Tours Stop 1, Bulleid Way, London, SW1W 9SR
As the old Routemaster double-decker buses began to approach their retirement from London Transport, intelligent minds turned to the issue of what to do with all these still-working-and-well-maintained icons of our capital’s street scene.
One wheeze, which was widely scorned when first floated, was to convert a few of them into mobile cream tea restaurants and drive diners around some of London’s most famous tourist sites. Roll forward 15 years and the cream tea buses are now a firm fixture on the London scene and it seems only right that our Company should investigate them and see what all the fuss is about!
A Livery party is therefore meeting at 3.30pm (so as to avoid there rush hour) near to Victoria Bus Station and from there will be whisked away on a 90-minute tour, whilst sampling an array of scones, sandwiches, cakes and other health foods, plus of course, the obligatory teas and coffees.
Tickets cost £45, dress is casual, and Members are very welcome to bring friends and family.

A Day's Cricket at Lord's in a private box, as guests of Middlesex CCC
2025-09-10 10:30 - 18:30 | Lord’s Cricket Ground, St John's Wood Road, London, NW8 8QN
Over the years, our Livery has formed a strong relationship with Middlesex County Cricket Club, taking private boxes at various County, 50-Over and T20 games, and making donations to the Club’s excellent charity; Middlesex in the Community.
This September, we have a private box in the iconic Tavern Stand for the third day of Middlesex County Championship match against Derbyshire.
As well as being able to watch the match in some style, our party will also be able to enjoy the freedom of the ground, visit the world-famous Lord’s Museum, and lunch in the iconic Pavilion.
Middlesex is kindly funding box and our match-day tickets, enabling us to donate the entire £90 ticket-cost of our places to their excellent charity.
So do come along for a relaxing day at the home of cricket, and support an excellent cause.
Dress is jacket and tie for men and the equivalent for ladies (BTW: trousers are fine), tickets cost £90 each, and guests are extremely welcome.

Book of Mormon Theatre Trip and Supper - Sold Out
2025-09-17 19:30 - 22:00 | Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street, London, W1D 6AS
Every so often a show arrives on Broadway or in the West End, which sweeps up all the awards and electrifies the theatre-going public. Obvious examples include, Les Miserables, Phantom, and Hamilton. Recently, it was the outrageous and outstanding (in equal measure) Book of Mormon. This blockbuster musical follows two mis-matched young Mormons, when they are sent to Africa to embark on their missionary work, and the chaos that follows in their wake.
When it first appeared on Broadway, Mormon won all the Tony Awards, and tickets changed hands for up to three times their face value! Inevitably the show came to London soon after and here too it swept the boards, winning all the Oliviers, plus numerous other prizes. At one point, the waiting list for tickets was nearly eight months – and that was with two matinees a week!
Roll forward to today, three years later, and Mormon is still “packing them in”, so we are going to go along and see what all the fuss is about.
Because of demand, the theatre has limited our party to just 12 tickets, but they have been kind to us over the price (The Master has friends in low places!) and once the party is booked up, those attending will be circulated about an optional, pre-theatre supper.
So come along and enjoy an amazing piece of musical theatre with your livery friends and guests.
Tickets cost £49, the show starts at 7.30pm and dress is smart casual.

Sheep Drive, Craft Fair and Lunch - Sold Out
2025-09-28 10:00 - 15:30 | London Bridge and The Little Ship Club
This long-established City fundraiser celebrates a Freeman’s ancient right to bring flocks of sheep over the Thames and into the City’s market at Smithfield. This year’s sheep drive takes place on Southwark Bridge, which will close for the day, and as well as the opportunity to drive a small flock of sheep over the bridge (for which you get an official certificate), there is also a craft fair and lunch at a nearby restaurant.
Places are hard to come by (It’s a “bucket list’ thing.), but Clare’s managed to secure ten, for the 10.37am slot, so book in and join the Master in experiencing this unique event. (Nobody will believe you when you tell them what you’ve done!)
You can also bring friends and family (anyone over five years old), who get a slightly different certificate, and fancy dress is optional – needless to say, there are usually lots of young Bo Peeps skipping around!
Dress is anything from entirely casual, right up to full morning dress, with badges and gowns.

Mayoral Election and Lunch 2025
2025-09-29 11:00 - 15:30 | Guildhall Club, Guildhall Club, Guildhall West Wing, Gresham St, London, London, EC2V 7HH, United Kingdom
After the historic ceremony of the Mayoral Election during the morning, the Master invites Company Members and their guests, along with some FSG Masters and their Clerks, to join him upstairs in the Guildhall Club for a private Drinks Reception and Lunch.
Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy drinks out on the roof terrace before moving into the Aldermen’s Dining Room for lunch.
At the Shrieval Election Day Lunch, we heard from former Sheriff Andrew Marsden about what happens behind the scenes, between when Sheriffs are elected and the day they take office. It was very revealing and clearly quite a scramble!
We are following the same plan at this September’s Mayoral Election Day Lunch, when our Guest of Honour will be former Lord Mayor, Sir David Wootton, who will explain how the year leading up to their entry into Mansion House, typically unfolds for an incoming Lord Mayor. David is an excellent speaker and like Andrew did, has agreed to take questions, under the Chatham House Rule.
After lunch, guests are welcome to move back out onto the roof terrace to view the events going on in the square below.

11.30am – Coffee
11.45am – All attending the Election Ceremony must be seated
12noon – Mayoral Election Ceremony
1pm – Drinks in the Aldermen’s Dining Room
1.30pm – Lunch in the Aldermen’s Dining Room
Dress code: Morning dress or lounge suit for men and smart day wear for ladies.
Tickets: £99
Please book below where possible

Visit to the UK's only working Swordsmithy - Sold Out
2025-10-02 12:00 - 16:00 | Pooley Sword, Highdown House, Shoreham Airport, West Sussex, BN43 5PB
Pooley Swords, run by Robert Pooley, who was our speaker at the House of Commons, is the only working smithy in the country. The specialists there make and maintain pretty much all these edged weapons in existence in the UK today.
Recently, they made two ceremonial swords for us – one for Special Forces Support Group and then just this month, one for our new RAF Affiliated Unit, the RAF Regiment’s elite No. II Squadron.
Robert and his team have kindly invited six of us to go down and see them working.
The visit will encompass the design studio, the manufacturing facility, where the blades and pommels are made, and then the etching and finishing department, where those customers who wish, can have their swords turned into steel works of art.
Because of the nature of the smithy, there are only six places on the tour, and one of those has already gone.
We are due at Pooley’s at 2pm, so those who wish, can join me at noon for a lunch in the nearby Enzo Fiore Italian Restaurant (6/7 Queensway, Lancing, BN15 9AY), which is well-regarded locally, and less than a mile away. (We will share the meal cost between us on the day.) There is parking at both locations.
Dress is smart casual and this should be a fascinating tour of the only smithy in our country still practising this ancient craft.

Behind the scenes at Holborn Tube Station - Two returns available
2025-10-08 10:55 - 12:30 | Holborn Underground Station, Corner of Gate Street & Kingsway, London, WC2B 6AA
For something slightly different, a party of just nine members and guests will meet at the famous Holborn Tube Station at 10.55am on Wednesday, 8th October, before stepping through a concealed door into the third of the station that’s been hidden for 30 years.
Originally opened in 1906 as a complex of four platforms to serve the Piccadilly line, Holborn played a pivotal role in transforming the surrounding area from a place of ill repute into a prime business district. Our guide will show us the secret corridors, two disused platforms of the Aldwych branch, the Aldwych crossover, and the tracks that lead to the now-closed Aldwych Tube station.
We will also discover how the disused parts of the station have been put to surprising uses over the years, from scientific laboratories, to wartime shelters for staff and even a model rail club. Holborn’s hidden spaces have also been the backdrop to notable music videos and films, including Aqua’s Turn Back Time and the recent Superman.
The tour will last about an hour and a half and we will then repair to the nearby, award-winning Isolabella Restaurant, for a light lunch. (We’ll split the bill on the day).
Places cost £49 each and dress is entirely casual. Comfy walking shoes are advisable, and although we will not be covering huge distances, this event is not really suitable for those with mobility issues.

Installation Dinner 2025
2025-10-14 18:30 - 22:30 | Ironmongers’ Hall, Off Shaftesbury Place, London, EC2Y 8AA, United Kingdom
This year’s Installation Dinner will be held at Ironmongers’ Hall on Tuesday 14 October 2025.
Ironmongers’ Hall is home to one of the Great Twelve Livery companies and is acknowledged as one of the finest livery halls in the City of London.
This event is to celebrate the Installation of Vince O’Brien as Master, as well as Sally Orton as Senior Warden and Malcolm Bacchus as Junior Warden.
Our guest speaker for this event will be Ian Simm, who is the Founder and Chief Executive of Impax Asset Management Group plc, one of the world’s leading investment managers dedicated to investing in the transition to a more sustainable economy. He is a member of the UK government’s Net Zero Council, which provides strategic leadership to support delivery of the government’s low carbon objectives, and its Net Zero Innovation Board, which provides strategic oversight of public sector funding of energy innovation programmes.

Tickets: £155
Dress: Black Tie or Livery Uniform, with Badges and Decorations
Time:
6.30pm Drinks Reception
7pm Dinner
10.30pm Carriages
Please book online below where possible:
BUY TICKETS HERE
If you have are unable to book online, please contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org or 07828 554967

FSG Pub Takeover - October 2025
2025-10-27 18:00 - 23:00 | The Hand and Shears, 1 Middle Street, Barbican, London, EC1A 7JA
Following on from our two successful events last year, the Financial Services Group of Liveries (FSG) will be holding another Pub takeover on Monday 27 October at 1800 until late at The Hand and Shears pub, 1 Middle Street, EC1A 7JH.
There is no charge and no booking, just turn up, buy your drinks and interact with colleagues and friends from the 16 different Livery companies that make up the Financial Services Group.
It would be great to have about 10+ from every FSG company to make the evening a roaring success, so please share with other members, and encourage especially young members to come along.

This event is being organised by the Information Technologists and any queries should be directed to Rob Wirszycz at rob@wirszycz.com

FSG Invitation - Justice For All Series
2025-10-30 17:30 - 20:30
CLICK HERE for a pdf with details of other events in the Justice For All series 2025-26
CLICK HERE TO BOOK TICKETS

Frameless Immersive Art Experience and Lunch
2025-11-13 11:00 - 15:00 | Frameless, 6 Marble Arch, London, W1H 7AP
Travel on a mind-bending journey as mirrors and clever projection take you beyond the boundaries of reality. Surreal, otherworldly and dreamlike, this gallery will envelope you in the strange and extraordinary.

42 MASTERPIECES, 4 GALLERIES

FRAMELESS is redefining the experiential immersive art world. Situated in Marble Arch, we are the largest permanent multi-sensory experience in the UK. FRAMELESS features four galleries and showcases some of the world’s greatest works of art presented in ways never seen before. Where art breaks free.

EXPLORE OUR GALLERIES
Step inside art itself as you travel through four distinct, immersive galleries, featuring iconic masterpieces from some of the world’s greatest artists; Kandinsky, Monet, Dali, Van Gogh, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Klimt to name a few.
Throughout the centuries, artists have captured the complexity of our world with paint. They have filled canvases with astonishing landscapes, alternate realities, sublime colour and ultimate purity – seeking to express the very essence of humanity. Today, technology allows us to get closer to these masterpieces than ever before. Step beyond the frame and be immersed in the astonishing worlds these artists have created. Travel through time and space to experience every brushstroke with all your senses.

Location: Frameless Immersive Art Experience, Marble Arch
Time:
11am – Frameless
1pm – Lunch
Tickets: £35 Frameless ticket – lunch will be covered individually afterwards

Lunch is booked at the Grazing Goat, Marylebone which is a 5 minute walk away.
Please book online where possible. If you have any problems or questions then please contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org or 07828 554967
Buy Tickets HERE

Help Musicians' Festival of St Cecilia 2025 and Lunch
2025-11-19 11:00 - 15:00 | Westminster Abbey, 20 Deans Yard, Westminster, London, SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom
Help Musicians’ annual celebration of music

Join us for this year’s Festival of St Cecilia, a celebration that honours St Cecilia, the patroness of music, and the musicians who enrich our lives.
This year, the service will be held at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 19 November at 11:00 am, followed by an optional lunch in the private dining room at The Ivy, Victoria.
Under the expert direction of Andrew Nethsingha, Director of Music at Westminster Abbey the combined choirs of Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Westminster Cathedral will reunite to perform once again. This years’ service will feature the premiere of a specially created anthem by Piers Connor Kennedy, along with a special performance to be confirmed at a later date.
Help Musicians relies on vital funds to support musicians across the UK. While tickets to the service are complimentary, we warmly encourage guests to make a donation when booking. 100% of every donation will directly support the thousands of musicians who need our help every year.
We hope you will be able to join us for this special occasion.

Date: Wednesday 19 November 2025
Service: 11am – 12noon
Lunch: 12.30pm (The Ivy, Victoria) £80
Buy Tickets HERE

Economic Outlook from the Bank of England with Lunch
2025-11-25 13:15 - 15:30 | Guildhall Club, Guildhall Club, Guildhall West Wing, Gresham St, London, London, EC2V 7HH, United Kingdom
THE CURRENT ECONOMIC OUTLOOK – The view from the Bank of England
Speaker Rob Elder – Bank of England Agent
Rob is responsible for the Bank’s liaison with the London business community, and has a good insight into how interest rates are set by the Bank, and the views of business.
We are delighted to welcome Rob Elder back once again, to speak to a small number of us, strictly under the Chatham House Rule, to give the Bank of England’s view on the economic year ahead.

Date: Tuesday 25 November
Time: 1.15pm – 3.30pm (incl Q&A)
Location: Member’s Private Dining Room, the Guildhall Club
Tickets: £79 to include a two-course lunch and a glass of wine
Buy Tickets HERE

Champagne Tour of the London Library
2025-12-04 18:00 - 19:30 | The London Library, 14 St James's Square, London, SW1Y 4LG
The London Library has stood on the corner of St James’s Square since 1845 and is one of the oldest lending libraries in the world, with over 1,000,000 books available to members. Incredibly most of these books are held on site in the original purpose-built metal ‘stacks’.
Our Court Assistant Steven Whitaker is a trustee of the library and has arranged a private tour on 4 December 2025.
We will begin at 6pm with a glass or two of champagne in the famous Issue Hall before embarking at 6.30pm on a tour that covers all the major parts of the library, including the beautiful Reading Room, well-known to many literary greats over the years including Dickens, Thackeray, Forster and TS Eliot (who became President of the library in 1952). Today’s President is Helena Bonham-Carter.
All areas of the tour are accessible by lift, but there will also be a chance to ‘climb’ the stacks, for those wanting to explore the hidden depths of the library.
We will end with the chance to see a few of the most notable books in the library, hand-picked by the Head of Collections.
The tour is scheduled to finish at 7.30pm allowing you time to head off to dinner – or to Christmas parties!

Time:
6pm: Champagne
6.30pm: Tour
7.30pm: Finish
Date: Thursday 4 December
Tickets: £50
(max. 4 per person)

Buy Tickets HERE

Guildhall Christmas Market 2025 - supporting the Red Cross
2025-12-08 17:30 - 2025-12-09 19:00 | Guildhall, Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HH, United Kingdom
The market will be open on the evening of Monday 8 December 2025, with a gala drinks reception, and providing early access to all of the commercial and Livery stalls. The stalls will continue trading all day on Tuesday 9 December 2025.
Founded in 1961, the Guildhall Christmas Market is one of the largest fundraising event for the British Red Cross and one of London’s most successful Christmas Markets. It is a biennial event. The gothic splendour of the Guildhall provides a truly atmospheric and memorable venue for this special event.
The 2023 market raised over £135,000 for the work of the British Red Cross supporting people in crisis.

The Chartered Accountants’ Livery have been asked to provide a team to collect and count the cash taken by Livery stalls.
If you are interested in volunteering some time during the market, then please let Vicky Andrew millcove1912@gmail.com and John Spencer john@connorspencer.com know your availability.

Early bird tickets are now live until September 2025 for the exclusive opening night and dining options on market day, with £5 off general sale prices.
General sale tickets for the market day are £7 each and will go on sale in September 2025.
Book here

Young Members - Christmas Drinks 2025
2025-12-16 18:30 - 23:00

Carol Service 2025
2025-12-22 18:00 - 21:30 | Tower of London, St Katherine's & Wapping, London, EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom
This year we have obtained special permission to hold our Carol Service once again at the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vinicula within the grounds of the Tower of London.
Those who attended last year will recall the spectacular festive lighting of the Tower grounds and the stunning history of this small chapel, which contains the tombs of many notable figures, including three executed Queens of England: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey, as well as the remains of St Thomas More and St John Fisher.
The service will take place in the early evening and will be followed by drinks and canapés at the nearby Bakers Hall, the home of the second-oldest City Guild.
For this year’s Carol Service, the Chartered Accountants are joining with a fellow-member of the Financial Services Group of Liveries, the Insurers Company.
After the service, Members and their guests can either leave for home, or walk to Bakers’ Hall, just a few minutes away, for festive canapés and drinks

Carol Service in the Chapel Royal in the Tower of London
6.30pm
Drinks and Canapés at Bakers’ Hall
7.30pm
This is an event at which guests (including children) are most welcome.
Dress: smart day wear, and given that the Tower is always cold in December – coats, hats and gloves are advisable!
Tickets: £70
Please book online where possible; If unable to, then please contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org

Ironmongers' Monday Lunch Club
2026-01-26 12:30 - 15:30 | Ironmongers’ Hall, Off Shaftesbury Place, London, EC2Y 8AA, United Kingdom
On Mondays, lunch is available in Ironmongers’ Hall to members of all Livery Companies and their guests, and the Master invites you to join him there on Monday 26 January!
You can enjoy pre-lunch drinks in the Drawing Room before making your way to your table. The bar is available from 12.30pm and lunch is served from 1pm.
Reservations must be made in advance by no later than the Tuesday beforehand. Please book using the button below, or contact Clare Ferrar on clareferrar@accountantslivery.org​
Three-course lunch (no drinks) will be £63 per person.
Our selection of modestly priced wines, beer and soft drinks will also be available. All our food is British and much of it sourced locally.​

Please see below the menu, and make sure you select your choices when booking

Dress code: Smart casual
Buy Tickets HERE

FSG invitation - Justice for All Series
2026-02-04 17:00 - 20:30 | Central Criminal Court, The, Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7EH
Introduction:

Justice underpins our freedoms, our economy, and our civic life. Yet our systems are under pressure—underfunded, overstretched, and outdated. The Justice for All Series provides a platform to confront this reality with honesty and ambition.
Conceived by Alderman Robert Hughes-Penney, Sheriff of the City of London (2025–26), and hosted at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), this five-part series brings together those in a position to ask hard questions—and propose evidence-based solutions.
Framed around the anniversaries of Magna Carta (1225) and UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, the series does not seek consensus, but clarity: What does a just society require today? Who must act? And what will it cost us if we do not?

For full details and bookings please click here: Home – Justice for All Series
