FROM LIVERYMAN TO MASTER
The Paviors are a City of London livery company with records dating back to 1276, but now with aims to promote the ‘craft of paving’ through its outreach programmes and fellowship. The Worshipful Company of Paviors is one of the City of London livery companies that have their foundation in the ancient guilds that regulated the standard of work and conditions of employment for craftsmen and apprentices working within the City. Today, the situation of the livery companies has altered, but many are still very active.
LIVERYMEN’S COMMITTEE
The first step to progressing through the Company is to be elected to the Liverymen’s Committee. Membership provides an opportunity to become more involved in the Company’s activities.
COURT OF ASSISTANTS (“THE COURT”)
Court Assistants are elected by the Court. Those filling vacancies need to have been a member of the Company for at least three years. Candidates must be fit and proper persons to serve, have given good service to the Company and have been active supporters of its functions. Ideally, they should be below the age of 60 and have served on the Liverymen’s Committee. In addition, a candidate should have the potential to become Master. Desirable qualifications that will be considered include committee experience in the Company and eminence in the City, industry or profession. Candidates for election to the Court will be considered ‘active’ if they have attended at least one of the four main functions in each of the last three years, are active in an associated society and have sponsored new members.
TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Assistants are elected to the Court for five years, renewable at the option of the Assistant and the Court for a further term of five years. At the end of ten years, if not on the ‘ladder’ to becoming Master, the Assistant resigns and transfers to the Court Emeritus.
PROGRESS TO MASTER
There is a four-year ladder to Master, progress being by annual election by the Court for:
The new Second Warden-in-Nomination is elected annually by the Court in a postal ballot in November. The Court’s Nomination Panel recommends the candidate. The Panel may select any Assistant, regardless of seniority on the Court.