Our Chaplain and ProBono Mentoring Leader

“An outstanding member of our Company in so many respects but, above all, one with all the attributes of a gentleman.”

Every Livery Company has a Chaplain. From its very earliest days, however, our Company was distinctive in having not only a Chaplain, but one who also practised as a management consultant.

The Reverend WA (Bill) Penney was both an ordained Anglican priest and a management consultant. Few, if any, other Livery Companies could claim to have a Chaplain who was also a Liveryman of the Company. Bill was appointed Chaplain and conducted the Guild’s first Service in October 1996 at St James Garlickhythe; he continued to take and often preach at the Service for many years.  He was admitted as a Founder Liveryman in 1997.

Bill was already familiar with the traditions of the Livery Companies, as his wife, Penelope, was Headmistress of a well‑known Haberdashers’ girls’ school. Alongside his role as Chaplain, Bill played an active and influential part in the Company’s early development. In particular, he helped to shape and establish a recognised programme of pro bono consultancy and mentoring during the early 2000s. Working with Gordon Stoker, John McLean Fox, William Barnard and many others, Bill was instrumental in creating a vehicle that would make a significant and lasting impact in the charity field. Their efforts were successful and helped to define an important strand of the Company’s work.

Following the sad death of his wife, Bill ‘retired’ from his formal role in 2018, but he remained in touch with the Company and continued to take a close interest in its activities.

In recognition of his outstanding service, Bill was awarded Honorary Liveryman status. Honorary Membership may, in special circumstances, be conferred upon eminent individuals who, in the opinion of the Court, have made an outstanding contribution to supporting successful business change and enhancing business performance. That description was certainly true of Bill.

One perhaps apocryphal story neatly captures Bill’s humility and good humour. He was always anxious about delivering the formal grace at Livery Dinners, worrying that he might fall victim to a Spoonerism. Instead of blessing the Company “root and branch”, he feared he might inadvertently say “boot and ranch”. In response, Past Master Michael Jeans donated the Chaplain’s Candlestick in his honour, engraved with the words “boot and ranch”, which was placed before the Chaplain at dinners that Bill attended.  On occasions the Chaplain would process holding the Candlestick.

Bill Penney is remembered with great affection and gratitude for his faith, wisdom, service and humanity.