Becoming a Friend: Process and Benefits 

Potential Friends may apply direct to the Company if interested on ce-clerk@cutlers-hallamshire.org.uk or they may be identified and nominated by Members and Freemen of the Company and by other Friends.  They should be made known to the Clerk of the Company and/or the Company’s Friend’s Advisor.

The Company’s Friends Advisor will have the initial discussions with potential Friends and make a formal recommendation to the Master Cutler.  Approval of new Friends is the formal responsibility of the Master Cutler, working within the above guidelines and taking account formally of the views of Members, prior to any commitment being given to a potential Friend.  Once a new Friend has been approved by the Master Cutler, the Friend’s Advisor will subsequently inform the Company formally, at the next appropriate Company meeting.

Representation

For Corporate Friends, it is the organisation that is the Friend of the Company.  We ask for a nominated point of contact, but the organisation may be represented, at any event, by whomsoever they feel appropriate for the occasion.

Annual Subscriptions and Benefits

Membership Term 

The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire was formed by act of Parliament in 1624.  It is in the DNA of Sheffield and South Yorkshire and association with it shows support for the City and our Region.  Its purpose is to promote and support manufacturing and engineering industry in Sheffield and South Yorkshire.  We have some 360 Freemen who are Owners, Directors and Senior Executives of manufacturing firms.  Some 30 years ago, the Category of Friends was created with the aim of including those non-manufacturing businesses who are pre-eminent in their field.  Whereas Freedom is bestowed on the individual, Friends are usually corporate.  The advantages of being a Friend can be summarised as follows:

CATEGORY FEE PA[1] SPECIFIC BENEFITS
Friend

 

 

 £2,625.00 Tangible.  There are several tangible benefits associated with being a Friend of the Company. These are:

 

a. Invitations.  At no charge to the Installation, the Friends’ Luncheon and Cutlers Feast (single ticket) each year.  You will also receive invitations to other subscription events where payment may be required and additional guest invited.

 

b. Hall.  Friends have the right to use the Company Rooms in the Hall (Hallamshire Suite) free of charge and to book their own corporate meetings, dinners and business events at a 10% discount.  Friends may also be able to bring visitors to the Hall and show them round what is a local gem, if you wish.

 

c. Networking.  Friends are invited to attend events where you can network with Freemen and with other Friends of the Company, plus their business associates and guests.  It will also be possible to include information in the Company Newsletter from time to time.

 

d. Business Focused Events.  Invitations to organised specific business related networking events, based on areas of interest to the Company’s Freemen.  Also, possible invitations to be lead presenters at such events.

 

e. Livery Management System (LMS).  Friends are included on the Company’s LMS, in the “membership” area, giving them access to membership directory and information about all of the Company’s activities and events.  Friends may also use this system, through the Clerk, to pass messages and information to the Company’s Freemen.

 

f. Access to the Master.  The Master Cutler has unique a platform in that he has access to MPs, local politicians and decision makers but he is frequently in London moving in circles where national decision makers can be influenced.  As a Friend, you will be able to put your view forward to take advantage of this

 

Intangible.  The intangible benefits of being associated with the Company are:

 

a. Sheffield and South Yorkshire.  The Company protects the use of “Sheffield” in business names. Companies House will not allow Sheffield to be used in any Company’s name without a letter of non-objection from us.  The Company also owns the certification mark Sheffield and is co-owner of the Made in Sheffield Brand with the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

 

b. The Company.  The Company has a unique position and is much envied by other cities and regions.  It is apolitical and has no agenda beyond helping manufacturing, engineering and the Region to grow and prosper.  It can therefore help coordinate activity, lobby for the Region and influence events.  Being a Friend of the Company helps to contribute to this.

[1] Fees are reviewed annually and modest increases may be applied if required.

 

Contact Details

Contact in the Hall is:

Martin van Kan
Chief Executive and Clerk to the Company
The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire
Cutlers Hall
Church Street
Sheffield
S1 1HG

Email: ce-clerk@cutlers-hallamshire.org.uk

T. 0114 272 8456

About The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire

Introduction.  The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire was formed by act of Parliament in 1624.  It is in the DNA of Sheffield and South Yorkshire and association with it shows support for the City and our Region.  Its purpose is to promote and support manufacturing and engineering industry in Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

History.  The Company was formed by Act of Parliament in 1624.  Our nearest equivalents are the London Livery companies and “Merchant Companies” of York, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow, but none of them is established by Act of Parliament.

Purpose.  The purpose of the Company is to promote the interests of manufacturing industry in Hallamshire (this is an “S” Postcode) and all of South Yorkshire, through the public platform occupied by the Master Cutler.  You, as a Freemen, are part of the life blood of the Company and essential to this purpose.

Structure.  The Company comprises of:

  • The board, known as the Company.
    • 33 Members by Statute comprising:
      • The Master Cutler.
      • Two Wardens. The Senior Warden is the next in line to be Master Cutler and the Junior Warden is next after that.
      • Six Searchers. (The origin of the Searchers was that they were originally tasked with seeking out and destroying substandard products).  Nowadays, the Searchers lead on the recruitment of new Freemen.
      • 24 Assistants. (Normally 15 Past Masters and 9 on the ladder to Mastership).

Activities

Education.  The Company has long been involved in education, even at the time of its formation through trade apprenticeships.  Current involvement in education includes:

  1. The Cutlers’ Company Better Learners Better Workers Programme. The Company in collaboration with Sheffield City Council has introduced a programme to better equip young people with the workplace skills based on a skills framework supported by a programme of activities and work experience.
  2. Joint Education Awards. There are a range of awards:
  3. Apprentices/Undergraduates. Travel/study grants have been made, jointly with the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers to apprentices in the Region and to students at Sheffield Hallam University.
  4. Pontifex Awards. Named after a succession of Masters of the Armourers & Brasiers called Pontifex, this awards travel/study grants to young managers in manufacturing Industry.

Welfare/Charities.  Charities are run separately, but the Company effectively has five strings to its charitable bow:

  1. Cutlers Combined Charitable Trust (CCCT). This is for the relief of poverty and distress in South Yorkshire.
  2. Sir John Osborn Fund. This is a fund open to more general charitable giving but focused on Sheffield.
  3. South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF). Money was gifted by the Company to SYCF to open up a fund to encourage young people into manufacturing. This donates approximately £9,000 each year.
  4. The Cutlers Hall Preservation Trust. The prime function of this charity is to maintain the Hall its treasures and historical records, but it also contributes to the Joint Awards Scheme.
  5. Master Cutler’s Challenge. The Master Cutler runs a challenge each year to support a major charity in the Region.  Details of each year’s Master Cutler’s Challenge are publicised in Company literature and on the website.  It has also been agreed that a percentage of the money raised will be given to the Sir John Osborn Trust so that it can be redistributed to smaller charities.  These do not have the necessary resources to run the challenge and would otherwise miss out on what has become one of the major fundraising activities in this Region.

 

Promotion of Hallamshire (South Yorkshire).  These are prestige occasions, such as the Cutlers’ Feast and Forfeit Feast, Police and Fire Service Awards.  Also including the Master Cutler’s duties and engagements, in particular in the City of London.

 

The Hall.  The Company has a duty to maintain, preserve and enhance the Hall and its possessions, as a showpiece and asset for Hallamshire.  Repairs are funded by the Cutlers’ Hall Preservation Trust.

 

Catering and Hospitality.  In January 2015, the Company took the catering and hospitality operation in house.  This has been run successfully since.  The hospitality business is reviewed regularly and is overseen by the Catering and Hospitality Committee.  Freemen are encouraged to use the Hall for private and business events.  As a Freeman, you receive a 10% discount on any personal or business use of the Hall.

 

The Hallamshire Suite.  The Hallamshire Suite consists of 2 x meeting rooms and a smaller breakout room.  It is fitted with audio visual equipment and is ideal for small conferences, meetings of various sizes and more intimate dining occasions.  As a Freemen, the use of the suite is free of charge and you would pay for any catering or additional requirements.  Enquire with the Hospitality Team.

 

Company Staff

Company Staff is small and comprises:

Chief Executive and Clerk to the Company. Martin van Kan.  He oversees and runs all Company business, the Hall, the hospitality business, the charity groups and manages and is secretary to all of the working committees.

The Beadle. Richard Vardy– the hall manager responsible for security and day to day maintenance.

Member Services & Office Administrator. Michelle Bartle.  She is the main point of contact for Freemen, Associate Freemen & Friends of the Company.

The Deputy Beadle. David Birch, as his title suggests, he deputises for and assists the Beadle.

The Master’s PA and MiS. Louise Webster manages the Master’s diary from the Company’s perspective and is responsible for the administration of MiS.

The Marketing and Hospitality Manager. James Birch runs the Company’s Hospitality Business reporting to the CE/Clerk.

The Archivist. Emma Paragreen deals with historical aspects of the Company.

The Accountant. Sarah Illingworth manages all accounts including audit.

 

Freemen’s Committee

A Freemen’s Committee was re-established in 2010.  It is intended as a means of ensuring that Freemen’s voices are heard within the Company.  The Current Chair is Anne Wilson.   There are 11 other members including the Junior Warden and the Senior Searcher.  Issues can be raised through the Chief Executive.  Every Freeman is entitled to attend Freeman’s Committee Meetings as an observer and the Chairman welcomes those interested in joining the committee.

Livery Management System (LMS).  The Company manages its membership through LMS.  This is a tool that allows Freemen and Friends to keep their own information up to date, receive timely communications from the Company, see and book onto upcoming events, see Company news and use the “member directory” to contact other Freemen and Friends.

Newsletter.  A Newsletter is also produced and distributed.  If you are not receiving a copy, please let the Member Services & Office Administrator know and they will ensure that you are added to the distribution list.