The Worshipful Company of Butchers (WCB) has named Peter Allen as new Master for 2026/27 during its annual Common Hall ceremony at Butchers’ Hall in London.
The Common Hall ceremony to elect this year’s Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, which took place today (10th September), commenced with a procession to St Bartholemew the Great church, where a service was held. After which, the outgoing Master, Gwyn Howells, and the Court of the Worshipful Company of Butchers processed back to Butchers’ Hall, where the election process and confirmation of appointments was followed by a celebratory lunch for Livery members and their guests.
Court appointments
Peter Allen was elected as Master for the year 2026/27 and the following appointments have been made to the Court:
Deputy Master: PM* Andrew Parker.
Renter Assistant: Anthony Stanton.
Providitor: Warden Tim Stone.
Wardens: Tim Stone, Steve Chick, Jim Connell, Amanda Buitelaar, William Thurston.
Assistants: PM Andrew Parker, PM Chris Wood, PM John Allton Jones, PM Gwyn Howells, Anthony Stanton, Paul Dolan, William Buchanan, Peter Wood, Stuart Roberts, Dr Jason Aldiss BEM, Mikel Attwood, Mark Winston, Andrew Berisford, Paul Willington, Philip Hambling.
Acting Clerk: Carla Ashcroft.
The Master
The new Master, Peter Allen, is chairman of family-owned butchery and catering supply business Aubrey Allen. Renowned for his expertise, Allen has worked in various roles across the sector from live selection to slaughter, retail and craft butchery. He was responsible for opening Aubrey Allen’s Warwick Street shop in Leamington Spa as well as taking the business into the foodservice market.
Speaking about becoming Master, Allen commented: “To become master of a livery I love, which is central to an industry that has become a part of me, is the greatest possible honour.”
Each year, the Master selects a charity to support during their tenure, and Allen has chosen the University College London Hospital Charity Leukaemia Excellence Fund. On 27th November, Allen in his role as Master will be hosting a Great Gatsby-inspired event at Butchers’ Hall in aid of his nominated charity, and in addition, the annual Master’s Charity Ball will take place at Guildhall, London, on 23rd April 2027.
Peter Allen was also recently presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Meat Management Meat Industry Awards event in Birmingham. He is a Freeman of both the City of Coventry and the City of London, a Fellow of the Institute of Meat and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural College.
*PM indicates a past Master.
