Gwyn Howells has been elected as the new Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers (WCB) at the meat industry Livery Company’s annual Common Hall ceremony today, held at Butchers’ Hall in London.
The Common Hall ceremony today elects the new Master and Court for the upcoming year.
One of the oldest London Livery Companies, the WCB can trace its origins back to 975CE and the election forms part of the historic Common Hall, which begins with a service at St Bartholemew the Great church followed by a procession to Butchers’ Hall for the Common Hall and lunch, attended by Liverymen and their guests.
The Court
The Court of the Worshipful Company of Butchers consists of the Master, five Wardens and 15 Assistants. Elected this year are:
Master:
- Gwyn Howells
Wardens:
- Stephen Chick
- Timothy Stone
- Anthony Stanton
- James Connell
- Amanda Buitelaar
Assistants:
- Margaret Boanas
- Andrew Parker
- Christopher Wood
- John Allton Jones
- Peter Allen
- Paul Dolan
- William Buchanan
- William Thurston
- Peter Wood
- Stuart Roberts
- Jason Aldiss
- Michael Attwood
- Mark Winston
- Andrew Berisford
- Paul Willington
The new Master
Gwyn Howells takes over the position of Master from John Allton Jones. Howells is a former director general of the Meat & Livestock Commission (now AHDB), where he spearheaded its successful ‘Recipe for Love’ campaign and launched the Minced Beef Quality Mark following BSE. He had previously held senior marketing positions at Reebok UK and Courage.
Howells has chosen the Barts Hospital Charity as his specific charity for the upcoming year, and money donated from the Livery fund will help with ‘Ovacatch’, the hospital’s pioneering research into developing a test for the early detection of ovarian cancer.
“As Liverymen we all have an obligation to those who provided the special legacy we inherited at Butchers’ Hall.”
Gwyn Howells, WCB Master
Commenting on his election, Howells said: “The great pride, honour and gratitude I feel in being elected Master is almost overwhelming.
“As Liverymen we all have an obligation to those who provided the special legacy we inherited at Butchers’ Hall. We must do all we can to ensure that legacy is protected, nurtured and passed on.
“I promise, as Master, to do my very best for the Livery.”
