The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

INSTALLATION DAY – MON 23 SEP 24

On Monday 23rd September, Mike Gibbons MBE completed his highly successful year as Master Tax Adviser, and Wendy her equally accomplished year as Mistress Tax Adviser, during 2023/24. 

Richard Geldard was duly installed as the new Master, for the year 2024/25, at a meeting of Court held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall.  Company Wardens for the year were also installed: Matthew Peppitt as Upper Warden, Caroline Turnbull-Hall as Middle Warden, and Howard Ashmore as Renter Warden.  Mike Gibbons MBE accepted Richard’s invitation to serve as his Deputy Master. 

The new year also sees two Past Masters stepping down from Court (John Dewhurst and Bob Harland), and the admission of two new Court Assistants (Winnie Cao, and (from December) Kevin Offer).  Management of the Company will be bolstered by a particularly strong cohort of new Committee Members and Company Officers. 

The Court meeting also saw eight Freemen advancing to Livery, after gaining their Freedom of the City that morning, and the admission of three new Freemen, to a packed house of over 60 Company members and guests. 

Photographs from Court, and throughout the day, are available in the Members’ Area.  

From Merchant Taylor’s Hall, Court processed to St Michael’s Church Cornhill to join the Company’s St Matthew’s Tide Thanksgiving Service, officiated by the Honorary Chaplain, Rev’d Marcus Walker.  His thought-provoking sermon and the excellence of the choir were memorable attractions of a highly enjoyable Service, attended by 100 Company members and their guests. 

Returning to the Hall, and joined by the Rt Hon Baroness Hale of Richmond and other Company guests, the new Master hosted his Installation Dinner in the Great Hall.  In this wonderful setting, a splendid dinner was served, the Master took wine with new Liverymen and Freemen, Loving Cups were passed, and we were entertained to organ music from the gallery and swing from the Satin Dollz on the dining room stage.  The Renter Warden welcomed and toasted the guests, after which Lady Hale made a compelling case for equity – especially in public service, and heraldry in particular (as Patron of the Equality of Arms Campaign).  The Master closed the dinner by thanking all those involved in its delivery, and briefly outlined his aims for the year ahead.  Emphasizing his wish to engage with – and be engaged by – the membership of the Company, the Master indicated that results of the recent survey would be published in due course and presented Liveryman Derren Joseph with a bottle of champagne as winner of the survey’s prize draw! 

The evening concluded with a Stirrup Cup, and promises to meet again at the Christmas Carol Service at Great Saint Bartholomew’s’ Church and Supper afterwards at Butchers’ Hall, on Tuesday 17th December, if not before.