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Leathersellers’ Review 2024–2025
CLERK’S INTRODUCTION
The use of the Hall by our funded partners to train, raise money, convene and celebrate has created opportunity and furthered their goals – and therefore ours.
The Reception Room in Leathersellers’ Hall is scene to many diverse events. It can be difficult to appreciate in the busyness – ranging from coffee before meetings and fundraising drinks for a charity partner to the managed chaos of Year Seven students from our associated schools exploring the Hall for the first time – that the room, designed by Eric Parry, is based on the timeless constants of cosmological movement and reminds us that while all is in motion, stability is not just possible but expected. In terms of our ongoing work, that stability is fostered by the enduring elements of stewardship, continuity, fellowship and the common purpose of our members, staff and partners. The passion and commitment of our members to all aspects of Company life is more evident to me with each passing year, expressed in a sincere endeavour to pass on a better organisation to each successive generation. Of course, with each year and each Master (our Chair) there is a different emphasis and character within the parameters of our traditions, governance and strategy. This year, with Nick Tusting’s hand on the tiller, we have doubled down on our roots in the Leather Trade and highlights for me will include my tannery trips with the Master in the UK and China; re-establishing links with the Lineapelle fair in Milan; increasing the Foundation’s support of leather-related projects alongside the number of supported partners; and welcoming new Company members from the trade. The current flourishing of these roots in the creativity and ingenuity of students and craftspeople is evidenced in several of the articles in the Review . Another important aspect of our year has of course been support of our member, Alderman Gregory Jones – and Rosali – as he served as Aldermanic Sheriff. The Sheriffs’ Breakfast and Lord Mayor’s Show, Greg’s work on highlighting issues such as modern slavery and prisoner rehabilitation, and the entry of a Leathersellers’
team in the inaugural Lord Mayor’s Football Tournament have all seen the Company continue to play its part in strengthening the civic and cultural heritage of the City of London. With a stress on continuity and stewardship, Court (our Board) took the opportunity to review our strategy towards the end of this year. It is encouraging to see how many areas have made progress as well as having a clear framework to identify where we need further or greater focus. Some noteworthy aspects of this are of course increasing our overall annual giving to £4m for the first time, with the Foundation’s grants being augmented by additional capital and income transfers from the Company; giving that was furthered by the successful redevelopment and letting of 3 St Helen’s Place and a £5.5m transfer to the endowment. It has also been so encouraging to see the benefit of seeking to ‘add value’ to our grantees beyond crucial financial giving. The use of the Hall by our funded partners to train, raise money, convene and celebrate has created opportunity and furthered their goals – and therefore ours. All of this has been possible thanks to the tireless work of our committees and staff and I am so grateful to all for their contributions. One final thing that stands out from the year has been some remarkable guest speakers, from author and campaigner Chris Wild with his personal and passionate call to action and encouragement of our endeavours supporting organisations addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences and individuals who are care- experienced, to Sir Roger Wright, Chief Executive of the Rothschild Foundation, who recognised our shared belief that being a grant giver is “not about handing down – it’s about working alongside” and that “we are not only caretakers of a rich heritage, but architects of a better future.”
Matthew Lawrence
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