Membership - How to Apply

Responsibilities of Membership

The obligations of those fit and proper persons who are admitted to the Freedom and the Livery of the Company are set out in a formal declaration to the Court at the admission ceremonies; they are what is expected of a good citizen of the City.

Joining the Livery Company is not the same as joining a Club or Association. In City tradition, anyone seeking to join the Company is required to confirm that they regard this as a long-term commitment, not something which would be resigned lightly, or even following retirement from active business life. Charitable commitment is also required,

Methods of Admission

In keeping with custom, any person wishing to join the Company needs to complete a formal application, which has to be signed by a Proposer and Seconder, one of whom must be a member of the Court. An applicant does not need to find a Proposer and Seconder him/her self; advice can be given. In the first instance, and in order that you can be introduced to people who may be able to support your application, we suggest you attend a potential new members evening. For a "no obligation" invitation to one of these evenings we suggest you contact the Chairman of the Membership Committee membership@wccsa.org.uk. After this there will be an interview which committed applicants will be invited to attend.

For information on joining as an Apprentice, please see the section on this website explaining the Apprenticeship Scheme.

The first stage in becoming a member of the Company (other than as an apprentice) is to apply for, and to be granted, the Freedom of the Company after which, as a Freeman of the Company, it is possible to participate in a number of Company functions.

The second stage is to gain the Freedom of the City of London. Generally speaking, any person who has attained the age of eighteen years is eligible, and the Freedom of the Company smoothes this path. Click here to download a pdf of an article written by former Clerk RM Simmonds on the Freedom of the City.

The final stage of joining the Company, with all the associated rights, privileges and obligations of the Company, is to be 'clothed in the Livery' in a short ceremony at one of the quarterly Court Meetings.

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