There are 110 livery companies, comprising London's ancient and modern trade associations and guilds, almost all of which are styled the 'Worshipful Company of...' their respective craft, trade or profession. These livery companies play a significant part in the life of the City of London, not least by providing charitable-giving and networking opportunities. Liverymen retain voting rights for the senior civic offices, such as the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and Corporation, its ancient municipal authority with extensive local government powers.
The Worshipful Company of Scriveners is one of the 110 livery companies of the City of London. The Scriveners Company was originally known as the Mysterie of the Writers of the Court Letter and, since its incorporation, as Master Wardens and Assistants of the Company of Scrivenors of the Cittie of London [sic]. It is one of the few livery companies that from its foundation to the present day has been influential in setting the standards for a living profession, namely that of scrivener notary. The company's first ordinances were granted in 1373. Its Royal Charter was granted by King James I on 28 January 1617.
The Worshipful Company of Musicians is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Its history dates back to at least 1350. Originally a specialist guild for musicians, its role became an anachronism in the 18th century, when the centre of music making in London moved from the City to the West End, and for more than a century it was a general guild for figures in the City, with no specific musical role. In the late 19th century, the musical element was revived, and the modern Company promotes all aspects of the art and science of music.
The City of London Solicitors' Company is one of the 110 Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was formed in 1908; the City granted it Livery status in 1944. The Company received a Royal Charter in 1958. Prior to 1969, when the City of London Law Society was formed, the Company functioned as a law society for the city's solicitors. Today, the Company mainly functions as a charitable body. The Company is not to be confused with the London Solicitors UK legal firm.
The Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers is one of the 110 livery companies of the City of London. It ranks 84th in the order of precedence for the livery companies.
The Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation was granted Letters Patent in May 1977. The Company promotes surveying by awarding scholarships.
The Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation became a Livery Company in 1977. The Company promotes the practice of accounting by awarding prizes to students in the field. It also supports general charities.
The Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation became a Livery Company in 1977. The Company promotes the profession by awarding grants to students aspiring to become Chartered Secretaries.
The Worshipful Company of Marketors is one of the 110 livery companies of the City of London. The Company was founded in 1975.
The Worshipful Company of Actuaries is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was founded and became a Livery Company in 1979, on the same day as the Insurers' Company. The Company supports the actuarial profession by awarding scholarships in the field.
The Worshipful Company of Insurers is one of the 110 Livery Companies of the City of London. It ranks 92nd in the City Livery Companies' order of precedence. Its motto is Omnium Defensor, Latin for Protector of All and its church is St Lawrence Jewry.
The Worshipful Company of Arbitrators is 93rd in the order of precedence of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The organisation formally became a Livery Company on 17 March 1981. The Company supports education in the field of arbitration. It also functions as a charitable institution. Its motto is Law and Custom, and its church is St Mary-le-Bow.
The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, also known as the Information Technologists' Company, is one of the livery companies of the City of London. The company was granted livery status by the Court of Aldermen on 7 January 1992, becoming the 100th livery company. It received its Royal Charter on 17 June 2010 from Prince Edward.
The Worshipful Company of World Traders is one of the 110 Livery Companies of the City of London.
The Worshipful Company of Management Consultants is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. It draws its memberships from practising management consultants and has close links to the Management Consultancies Association and the Institute of Management Consultancy. The Company's motto is 'Change through Wisdom'.
The Worshipful Company of Constructors is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company aims to bring together those professionally qualified individuals concerned with aspects of building design, execution, management, vision and economic appraisal.
The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers is a livery company of the City of London. It draws its membership from tax advisers and other taxation-related practitioners.
The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP) is the 108th Livery Company of the City of London. It is a non-profit making organisation providing education and health services to members of the security profession.
The Worshipful Company of Educators is the 109th livery company of the City of London, having been granted livery status on 10 September 2013 by the Court of Aldermen. The Company was founded on 24 May 2001 as a Guild to represent the education and training profession and for charitable purposes. On 15 September 2009 the City's Court of Aldermen granted the petition of the Guild of Educators and agreed that the Guild be constituted one of the Companies of the City, without a grant of livery, with the title of The Company of Educators and that its Ordinances be approved and duly enrolled amongst the records of the City. Upon being advanced to the status of City livery company in 2013, the Company was accorded the official title of Worshipful Company of Educators, although less formally it can continue to be known as the Educators' Company.
Sir Alan Colin Drake Yarrow was Lord Mayor of London 2014–15. He is an investment banker, who has served as Chairman of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) since 2009.
