Welcome to the latest edition of the Company Newsletter. In this edition we celebrate eight new joiners and have reports on two Inter Livery events. Also, there are two “Get to Know …” features (Ed: I'm still catching up) and news of Past Master Kanan Barot's latest thespian exploits.  There are plenty of photos in this edition (thanks mainly to Mark Fox), but otherwise it is reasonably brief…!

New Admissions

As was reported in the last GTKP Newsletter, there was an Admissions Ceremony before the Charities Supper on 3rd February. It is a pleasure to report that three Junior Freemen were admitted: Harman Heer, Adam Kearns and Antoinette Okoiye.

Then, five new Freemen took their oaths together. Jane Arnold-Forster, Karim Harbott, Sharold Palmer, Dr. Andrew Schuster and Kasar Singh. 

Congratulations to them all and a warm welcome to the Company. Congratulations too, to Leon MacPherson and the Membership Committee – all their hard work is really paying dividends. 

Inter-Livery Pancake Race

The Inter-Livery Pancake Race is a vibrant event held annually in Guildhall Yard, London on Shrove Tuesday. It is organised by the Worshipful Company of Poulters and features teams from various City Livery Companies competing in a pancake-flipping race.  This year, the Race, held on 17 February, once again delivered all the colour, camaraderie, and good humour that make it a highlight of the City calendar. The  Company  was proudly represented, with Malcolm McCaig competing in the Masters’ Race, Jim Foster taking part in the Liverymens' Race and Olga Croft flying the flag in the Ladies’ Race.

Immaculately turned out in kitchen aprons and chefs’ hats, our runners cut splendid figures. Although all three valiantly finished last in their respective heats, spirits remained high. The event was superbly organised by Walter Gill (who took most of the photographs) and we were delighted to have Sarah Jo Loveday on hand to cheer us on. With glorious sunshine overhead and plenty of pancakes to enjoy afterwards, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day.

We did not compete in the Novelty Race this year but there was the usual display of … well let’s call them "creative outfits":

The race received good coverge in the Times, which included the photo of the Master. You should be able to access the article here for free.   Also in Guildhall Yard…..

Inter-Livery Burns Supper

On Sunday, 25 January 2026, the first Inter-Livery Burns Supper descended upon the venerable City of London Club. For one memorable evening it felt less like a private members’ club and more like a well-behaved Highland invasion.

Over 120 guests gathered, including the Lady Mayor, both Sheriffs, their consorts, an impressive parade of Masters (including our own), our Clerk, who attended in her capacity as Foreman of the Guildable Manor of Southwark, and Mark Fox (but not on duty as the photographer). Proceedings began in suitably heroic fashion, with our Master piping everyone into the room to a tune of his own composition, The Lady Mayor’s Election. This was immediately followed by Heids and Hurdies, a Scottish variation on Heads and Tails.

Grace was said (Selkirk style), the haggis was addressed with due ceremony and enthusiastically stabbed, and everyone tucked into a traditional Scottish three course meal. After dinner, the entertainment flowed freely. It included a spirited recitation of To a Louse, some excellent fiddle playing, and a heartfelt rendition of My Love Is Like a Red, Red Rose. 

The Immortal Memory, was delivered by our Master. It explored the question: “to which livery company would Robert Burns be most likely to affiliate”, before he delivered the answer to the mystery in true Poirot style. Closing remarks completed, everyone repaired upstairs for the ceilidh, where dignity was largely abandoned and enthusiasm fully embraced with much flinging of arms and legs. To the sound of the ceilidh band, everyone danced the night away, demonstrating that the combination of Burns, bagpipes, and the City Livery create a delightfully potent and chaotic result.

Get to Know ... Leon MacPherson

I’ve been a member of the Company since 2016, having first been introduced by Noorzaman over coffee and kindly proposed by John Pulford MBE. Joining felt like a natural step, combining two enduring passions of mine: management consulting and the City of London.

My fascination with consulting began at 15, when I was captivated by Troubleshooter, the BBC series presented by Sir John Harvey-Jones, former CEO of ICI. I was inspired by the idea of diagnosing organisational challenges and driving improvements in productivity, profitability, and customer experience. The Morgan Cars episode particularly stuck with me, and from that moment, I knew I wanted to advise organisations on how to be better, accepting, of course, that not every client takes the advice given.

I studied Management Science at City University, which deepened my connection to the City. Living on Bunhill Row, I spent weekends exploring the Square Mile, enthralled by its heritage and energy. Becoming a member of the Company satisfied both ambitions: contributing to the civic life of London and belonging to a professional community aligned to my career.

I live in Islington with my wife, Giselle, and our two children, Eshan and Anaya. We were married at St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield - keeping the City theme alive! I grew up in Somerset, where my family still lives, though I’ve now spent more of my life in London. I love the City in summer—Wimbledon, Ascot, Chelsea Flower Show, or a day at the cricket, ideally accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine. I am also a devoted Spurs fan and a season ticket holder, usually with a spare seat for anyone willing to share the emotional rollercoaster.

My career began at GE Capital, then one of the world’s most admired companies and home of Six Sigma. I was the first graduate on GE Capital Europe’s programme, training extensively in the United States—an extraordinary foundation for my career. Yet consulting was always my true calling. I joined Andersen Consulting’s strategy practice, which aimed to compete with McKinsey and other strat houses. Over ten years at Andersen/Accenture, I progressed rapidly, becoming one of the youngest Directors before 30 and serving on the UK Strategy Executive Committee. My focus was large-scale transformation, particularly across investment and retail banking, both in London and internationally.

I was later drawn to the partner model at Ernst & Young, joining as client lead for Barclays and Standard Chartered. It was a deeply rewarding role, overseeing international engagements, assuring delivery quality, and strengthening client relationships. When Barclays invited me to join the bank, I leapt at the challenge. Transitioning from consultant to client-side leader was eye-opening. Due to my quick progression at Accenture and EY, I was fortunate to join Barclays as a Managing Director at only 36.  My role was to create a major transformation strategy and implement that strategy over five years, achieving significant, lasting change to their operating model.

After Barclays, I shifted focus to the public sector, consulting for the Bank of England and now advising one of government’s largest transformation programmes - growing from a solo role to a 65 strong consulting team. It’s classic consulting: complex, demanding, and immensely fulfilling.

As Chair of the Membership Committee, I’m passionate about growing and diversifying our membership—attracting younger consultants, fostering inclusion, and engaging senior professionals from major firms. The Company stands at a pivotal moment to define itself as a modern livery - honouring tradition while embracing transformation. Change has been the guiding thread of my career, and I’m committed to applying that same energy to the WCoMC’s future.

Get to Know ... Lisa Preuveneers

It is all the City of London’s Policy Chairman Christopher Hayward’s fault! I happened to be sitting opposite him at a Guild of Freemen dinner when I mentioned that having moved my office to central London, I was interested in joining a City organisation. He suggested the Broad Street Ward Club; I joined, got stuck in, and ended up as Chairman for 2022-23. 

When I join something, I like to be involved. So, shortly after being admitted as a Liveryman to our Worshipful Company in April 2023, I applied to join the Court of Assistants. It is sobering— and rewarding—to see just how much work goes on behind the scenes to keep our Livery thriving. Beyond the normal sphere as Freemen and Liverymen, we have incredible opportunities to volunteer. I’ve loved stepping outside my ‘normal’ experience—whether representing Past Master Chris Sutton’s Sea Cadets team at the King’s Coronation Parade in Greenwich or mentoring teenagers through the Amplify Me initiative. Seeing young people ‘grow’ as they discover how to take charge of their futures is incredibly worthwhile. Recently I was ‘volunteered’ to join the organising team for the Sheriff’s Justice for All series at the Old Bailey (thanks, Master!). 

On a personal note, I have been married to Basil for 50 years. We have two daughters and four grandchildren, and we have always worked together, even as I operated my own company, Law Consultancy Services Ltd (LCS). Together we set up, built up, and sold up two law firms, both, I’m pleased to say, are still thriving. Back in the 1980s just as PCs were becoming affordable, I developed software for small law firms. 

Today, I consider myself a ‘lifestyle entrepreneur.’ For the last decade, I’ve focused on the oldest and smallest branch of the law: Notaries Public. I design websites, lecture on compliance (fraud mitigation is my favourite topic!), and have developed a cloud-based document management system as part of my Business of Being a Notary program. It’s mostly 'part-time' now—mainly because overseas holidays seem to take up so much of my schedule these days!

Launch of Veterans’ Garden

Your editor had the pleasure of representing our Company (and our Charitable Fund) on 12 February at the launch reception of the Veterans’ Garden in Guildhall Yard. The Garden is an established part of the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch, designed and installed by the Gardeners’ Livery Company. Each year, the Garden reflects a different theme or subject relating to veterans’ lives. For 2026, the theme is The Garden of the Senses, and has been designed by professional garden designer, Gianna Utilini. The Veterans’ Garden will be in Guildhall Yard until the evening of the Big Curry Lunch - the 16th April 2026. 

As the Lady Mayor said in her welcoming remarks it was good to see such a variety of people present. I encountered people I know from my Masters’ year group (the Platinums), all wearing alternative metaphorical hats, from the Livery Charity Chairs Group and even from the Financial Services Group.  If you get a chance do drop into Guildhall Yard and take a look. More information here. 

And finally.... Starring Kanan Barot

News reaches me of PM Kanan Barot’s most recent thespian exploits. Kanan has long been a member of the South Side players and recently they presented Noel Coward's “Present Laughter” at the South London theatre. Kanan is not one to blow her own trumpet (or indeed bagpipes) so I will let an independent reviewer do it for us. “Kanan Barot’s performance as Monica Reed was a particular highlight, providing a masterclass in deadpan comic timing.” 

A group of Members attended the show with one commenting: 
"Past Master, Kanan Barot, thoroughly entertained me and a group of WCoMC colleagues, in her role as Monica Reed …….. The laughter was definitely present, as Kanan played the highly efficient secretary, of the narcissistic lead actor. Kanan’s management consulting skills were very evident in this starring role.”

The pictures show Kanan on stage in delightful period costume.  Well done, Kanan!

---000---

Thanks for reading this far.... and many thanks to all those who contributed articles for this issue.   I leave you with the quote from the Times about the Pancake race: 

"There seemed to be nominative determinism about the way that some professions performed. The Air Pilots generally got off to a flyer, the Gunmakers looked shot, the Fuellers ran out of gas and the Actuaries were just there to make up numbers."