The Worshipful Company of Butchers (WCB) has appointed Carla Ashcroft as its Clerk; she becomes the first female Clerk in the Livery’s history.
Ashcroft has held the position of Acting Clerk since September 2024, and was previously Deputy Clerk from August 2020. Jeff Mason MBE held the position of Clerk for a number of years before retiring in November 2023.
As WCB Acting Clerk, Ashcroft manages administrative affairs and daily operations while liaising with the WCB Court and liverymen, aiming to ensure that operations run smoothly.
For 2026, Ashcroft has been revealed as a finalist in the Women In Meat Industry Awards Trade Body category. The results of the competition will be revealed on Friday 20th November, when guests will assemble at the Royal Lancaster Hotel to find out which finalists have been crowned this year’s winners.
Her proposer stated that she is key to organising many events and activities within WCB, and she has also been described as a helpful, friendly and “highly valued member of the Butchers’ Hall team” as she works to maintain the Company’s history and relationship with the trade.
Ashcroft has won the Trade Body category once before in 2022, when she was Deputy Clerk. Her term as Clerk has now started, after she was officially appointed on Friday 6th November 2026 at the WCB November Court Lunch.
Speaking on her appointment, Ashcroft commented: “I am absolutely delighted to be appointed Clerk, and I deeply appreciate the support of the Liverymen of the Worshipful Company of Butchers and the Court. It is an honour to take on this role, and I am looking forward to working with members across all sectors of the industry and engaging with meat industry peers.”
