The Cutlers - The Company Today

Strategy Steering Group Report

THE STRATEGY STEERING GROUP REPORT

The Strategy was written in 2007 and then amended in 2009.  The economic situation has not improved significantly but somewhat greater clarity means that it is now appropriate to review the Strategy.  A Strategy Review Group has therefore been established for the 2011-12 year.  Actions to implement the Strategy in the past year are below.

A Freemen’s Committee has been established and this now channels views to the Company and the Master Cutler as appropriate.  This has proved a great success and is being expanded.  Freemen will have an opportunity to meet the Committee before the Installation on 4 October. Recruiting of Freemen remains a priority.  In the past, whereas the approval of a proposed Freeman had a clear procedure, recruiting was somewhat unstructured.  A Member of the Company has therefore been appointed as Freemen’s Ambassador with the specific role of recruiting new Freemen. 

A Friends’ Advisor was appointed this year to act as a link between current Friends and the Company and to find new Friends if appropriate.  The demand has been significant and the Company has therefore agreed to increase the number of Friends from 40 to 55.  Recruitment has been successful and there are currently 55 Friends. 

The financial situation has been kept under permanent review this year.  The impact of the changes introduced in 2009 will be considered by the Strategy Review Group. 

The Website continues to evolve with an increasing number of good news stories from Freemen being added and even an icon from East Midland Trains where trains can be booked.  This generates a small commission to the Company. 

The Master has done much to champion manufacturing in the Region.  He chairs the South Yorkshire Manufacturing Forum which is now the Manufacturing arm of the Local Enterprise Partnership.  He was also head of the Global Manufacturing Festival in March 2011 and it is anticipated that future Masters will also agreed to ‘head up’ this annual event. 

There has been a step change in education this year with the recognition that the system should prepare young people for work.  The Company is in the forefront of this movement along with the local authority and various education providers.  This role will be taken on by the newly formed Education Committee next year.