The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

Budget Banquet – Mercers’ Hall – Thursday 13th March 2025

The Company’s annual Budget Banquet was held in the thoroughly splendid surroundings of Mercers’ Hall on Thu 13 Mar.   

More than 150 Liverymen, Freemen, their guests, and guests of the Company gathered to enjoy a welcoming Drinks Reception in the Court Dining Room and a wonderful Dinner in the Livery Hall. 

We were honoured to have Sir Jim Harra KCB as our guest of honour.  Jim provided fascinating reflections on his four decades with the (now) HMRC, including more than five years at the helm.  The evolution of tax collection from paper records to computers (believed ‘unlikely to catch on’ when first introduced) was not altogether surprising.  That the process now enables £100 of tax revenue to be collected for a little over 50p was impressive, however. 

Excellent speeches were also delivered by Caroline Turnbull-Hall, as Middle Warden introducing the guests, and Richrd Geldard, the Master.  The former encouraged Comitas amongst those within and associated with the Livery, at a time when it might seem somewhat lacking elsewhere.  The latter’s account of his hectic schedule as Master, over just the past few weeks, provided some wonderful examples of Comitas amongst staff and pupils at Treloar’s School, Army officers in Winchester, pancake racers around the Guildhall, watchmen at St Pauls, and much more! 

Those at the Budget Banquet also enjoyed Edward Dye’s musical accompaniment to the Master’s procession, the sharing of the Loving Cup, and the Singing of our Closing Grace.  Evie Hill and her fellow musicians from the Guildhall School of Music provided a superb and soulful jazz performance.   

Earlier in the day, ten new Liverymen were advanced and three new Freemen were admitted at Court, including Paul Johnson CBE who became an Honorary Freeman. 

Photographs of all the day’s events may be seen, and downloaded, here: Gerald Sharp Photography | Budget Banquet 13-3-25