THE MASTER
The Master is the most senior member of the Company who chairs its governing body, the Court, and represents the Paviors Company externally. The Master normally serves a one-year term of office and is elected by the Court of Assistants. He or she is supported by two Wardens who, in normal circumstances, are expected to succeed to the position. There is a four-year ladder to Master: 1) Second Warden-in-Nomination, 2) First Warden-in-Nomination, 3) Renter Warden, 4) Upper Warden, and 5) Master.
Alexander Malmaeus
Alexander Malmaeus moved to London from Stockholm aged five and, without a word of English, was enrolled at St Christina’s Catholic school for girls in
St John’s Wood — the only time two girls have had a physical fight over him.
After King’s College School, Wimbledon, he read philosophy at the University of Toronto, gained a licence to set off explosives in Manitoba, and discovered that dynamite is even more fun than chainsaws. While working at the world’s largest lead-zinc mine in the Yukon, he was once ordered to use an axe to remove the heads of two dead bears to extract their teeth.
In his final year, he met Jackie, a beautiful but solemn 19-year-old ballerina. A few civilised and chaste dates followed, then a 16-year gap. The second time round, solemnity and chastity were cast aside: they now have two teenage children, Marcus and Madeleine.
Architectural studies in Canterbury and London led to a career beginning at Northacre in Chelsea, where he worked with future Paviors colleagues. He later co-founded A M Visualisation, an early pioneer of “radiosity” in computer-generated imaging, helping market over £4 billion of property.
Alexander is Chairman of the Anglo-Swedish Society and has spearheaded the digital transformation of the Worshipful Company of Paviors.
MASTER’S NEWS
Election of Lord Mayor
After Alderman Tim Hailes withdrew as the preferred candidate for election as the 2026-27 Lord Mayor, Liverymen and Masters elected Alderman Bronek Masojada. Alderman Masojada had widely been expected to [...]
Masons’ Banquet
The Worshipful Company of Masons, a fellow ancient construction Livery Company, extended a wonderful welcome as I attended my first banquet as Master Pavior. Our Honorary Chaplain, Dr Simon Thorn, [...]
Santa Run
A small gathering of Paviors took part in the Master's local Santa Dash. Happy Christmas, everyone!
3 PWRR Training Day
Every December, the 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment holds a training weekend. This starts with exercises on the ranges in Hythe, and this year the Master and [...]
2025 Sheep Drive
This was my attempt at driving sheep this afternoon. Thankfully the Master Mercer knew what she was doing. A long-established charity event, celebrating a Freeman’s ancient “right” to bring sheep [...]
Sent to the Tower
I was asked to attend Bow Street police station last night to answer charges of mis-selling and mis-respresentation along with 10 other Livery Masters. Our 'charges' were read by the [...]
London Infrastructure
Given our 750-year history as experts in road building, drainage, and broader construction and engineering, the Paviors Company welcomes the government’s £100 billion+ commitment to infrastructure spending. The confirmation of [...]
Women in Transport
Our Master Pavior, Charlie Laing, was delighted to attend the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the Women in Transport, fittingly held at the iconic London Transport Museum. Charlie, pictured here with [...]
Young Freemen
The Guild of Young Freemen invited the Master to speak about our Livery at their "Meet the Paviors" informal networking event after their Admissions Meeting at Ironmongers' Hall. With a [...]
Master’s Challenge
Thank you to all who supported the 2025 Master's Challenge -we've absolutely smashed the target! £32,900 was raised for the Paviors' Charity, which will support the important work of Sand [...]
My Year as Master
As I reflect on my year as Master there are some common themes. The great companionship of my Paviors Family. Only last week we enjoyed a fascinating technical visit at [...]
Master’s Challenge
A huge thank you to the team for joining in with the Masters Challenge. One of the top reasons for being a Pavior is the wonderful comraderie and new friends [...]
Military Affiliates and Security
The Livery movement as a whole is a great supporter of our military affiliates. The last couple of weeks have seen your master attend a number of security events. First [...]
Trafalgar Day
Michael and I had the privilege to attend the Trafalgar Day event, now in its 120th year, representing the Paviors. The Sea Cadets had worked so hard to give a [...]
Building Craft College
It was a real privilege to join the Carpenters' Company at the Building Craft College and to see the students work. Apprenticeship is a huge and important part of the [...]
London Construction Academy’s 10th Anniversary
Thrilled to celebrate ten years of the London Construction Academy with two of our passed students. Both still working in construction and doing really well. Hearing how much our personalised [...]
RAF Air Mobility Livery Engagement Event
Following a pleasurable but intensive “pre the day” team building session in the Three Horseshoes Witney, 12 lucky Paviors gathered close to RAF Brize Norton at 06:30 on May 31st. [...]
Two Apprentices
The Butchers Hall welcomed us for our Spring Dinner. Our Guest speaker Darren James CEO of Keltbray gave a very thoughtful speech on the importance of leadership, including the call [...]
International Women’s Day
It is with great pride that on Wednesday, 6th March, I became only the second female Master of the Worshipful Company of Paviors in 748 years, and I am most [...]
24 April 2023
A month into the role and the Mastership is proving even more interesting than I had expected. Firstly, our engagement with Charity in the City and beyond. Lizette enjoyed her [...]
15 March 2023
The first week as Master Pavior has been a delight and a privilege for which I am extremely grateful to you all. It has also been a good introduction to [...]
27 November 2022
The 2022-23 Master and Mistress Pavior - Neil and Milly Sandberg - walked the South Downs Way over several weekends to raise £5000 for the London Construction Academy. The trail [...]
1 September 2022
It seems extraordinary that I am already six months into the role – the weeks and months have flown by. Past Master Hugh is a very hard act to follow. [...]