The historic Apothecaries’ Hall was the setting for the WCHCD Election Court and Founders Day Luncheon.
During the Court meeting the following Officers were elected for Installation on 2 September 2025:
Master – Leigh Dargan
Upper Warden – Chris Hearnden
Renter Warden – Silvi Oliveira
Lower Warden – Steve Bates
And joining the Court as an Assistant – Liveryman Jamie Owens
We were then delighted to admit five new Freemen of the Company:
Mr. Mark Deighan
Mr Chaiyarit Suksiri
Mr John Whitford
Mr Dan Heaven
Mr Marc Freed
There then followed the presentation of Cab Guide Graduation Certificates. In total, 24 Graduates had come through this spring’s course and many of them were present with their wives, partners, or relatives to receive the certificates from the Master and to join the luncheon that would follow.
On a gloriously sunny day, the courtyard at Apothecaries Hall made for the perfect setting for the pre-luncheon drinks reception where members and guests mingled in convivial conversation.
Before the formalities of the meal could commence though, there was one very special duty to perform. The signing of the Armed Forces Covenant.
In his welcome speech the Master highlighted the strong links that the London Hackney Carriage trade has with Serving Military personnel and veterans, be it through ‘Poppy Cabs’, taking veterans on away days, or giving free rides to Chelsea Pensioners. And, of course, we are proud to have our award for bravery named in honour of Private Frederick Hitch, of the 2nd Battalion 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his meritorious bravery at the battle of Rorke’s Drift and who, on leaving the Army, became a Hackney Carriage Driver and proprietor, first in horse drawn cabs and then the new motorised vehicles.
He made reference to how the Court hope that this initiative would form the gateway to making the WCHCD a conduit for helping military personnel transitioning to civilian life find a route into our trade, be it going through the knowledge to become London Hackney Carriage Drivers, or using skills learned in their military careers such as mechanics and engineering within our trade sector as a foundation for a future career.
He also thanked Katie Dodd from the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association who has the unenviable but also no doubt pleasurable task of administering to these signings.
Colonel Mike Dyos, Deputy Corps Colonel of the Royal Logistic Corps then gave his own introduction and words of thanks to the WCHCD before he and the Master signed the Armed Forces Covenant, being joined for a photograph by representatives from all three of the WCHCD Military Affiliations:
Major Zoe Lester-Morris – Officer Commanding 20 Transport Squadron Royal Logistic Corps
Flight Lieutenant Ian Gilmore – Officer Commanding 504 County of Nottingham Squadron RAuxAF
Lieutenant Commander Billy Benton – Chief of Staff at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, joined by Lieutenant Commander Simon Gurney – Officer Commanding the Royal Navy School of Flight Deck Operations
After these formalities, the lunch commenced and we were treated to a fantastic talk on who people would have found their way home after a lunch or dinner in the City, from the Roman era right up to the inception of the Hackney Carriages and their regulation in the 17th Century.
This came from our guest speaker, the fabulous Laura Miller, the Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court. If you have received your Freedom of the City in recent years, then it was almost undoubtedly Laura’s warm welcome and encyclopaedic knowledge of the City of London that helped make the day one to remember.
To everyone who attended in any capacity, we thank you for joining us and making the day so special.