A friendly and welcoming Company
Our members come from a range of backgrounds and experiences. Click on the names below to meet some of them.
Liveryman Dave Dalton, CEO, British Glass
As the Chief Executive of the UK’s Glass Trade Federation, I’d been aware of, but not involved in the Glass Sellers for several years but hadn’t taken the time to understand what it did and how I might benefit from membership. It wasn’t until friends and colleagues who had been members for many years suggested that I look more closely that I realised that there was much more to it than I’d assumed.
As someone representing an industry sector, I need to develop relationships to assist my political leverage on behalf of my members. Friends told me that the Glass Sellers had substantial connections within the City and across the political spectrum and so I joined to build up my contacts.
Liveryman Jodie Pottage, Director, Wilkinson Ltd (Chandelier Manufacturers & Glass Restorers)
I first heard about the Glass Sellers Company when my father, David Wilkinson, became a Liveryman a few years ago. My father invited me along as a guest to a few of the Livery dinners, where I enjoyed great food, listened to fascinating speakers met a range of people from different backgrounds and industries, and received a friendly welcome. Working with my father for the last 14 years in our family business in lead crystal glass restoration and the manufacture of lead crystal lighting, I have a natural love of glass.
When I was asked if I would like to become a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London it didn’t take me long to say yes.
Liveryman Dave Fordham, Managing Director, Glass Worldwide
As the official and preferred journal of the major glass industry bodies across the world, Glass Worldwide is placed at the heart of the international glass community. With no other such organisation able to rival the longevity of the Glass Sellers, the company’s activities in supporting the glass industry are often common goals shared by Glass Worldwide. For example, Glass Worldwide is the preferred media partner of Glass Futures and, with Glass Sellers and British Glass also official partners of Glass Futures, we can join the dots and contribute collectively to further such initiatives wherever possible.
It is therefore a privilege for Glass Worldwide to act as the Official Journal of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London and for me personally to be a Liveryman. In addition to the greater good of promoting glass in all its guises, networking with glass dignitaries and figureheads through the company has greatly benefited me professionally and personally. Through the Glass Sellers’ activities, I also appreciate the opportunity of having a platform to contribute in however small a way to the industry I have been fortunate enough to work in for over 25 years.
Leigh Baildham – Past Master and Chairman of the Charity Trustees
The membership of any Livery Company allows you to embrace the extraordinary history and traditions of arguably one of the world’s greatest cities. An opportunity to learn about and be part of the Livery community which has supported and elected the Lord Mayor of the City of London for centuries.
For me, the Glass Sellers was an obvious choice, as it was my chosen profession with the attraction of the association of like-minded people in the trade.
So many people think that being a Liveryman is a chance to visit and dine in some amazing buildings in the City of London. My interest other than this obvious appeal and the business associations was the incredible charitable work that every Livery Company undertakes. The Glass Sellers charity is no exception to this!
The fulfilment of giving something back to the wider glass community, and to help to inspire students to consider a career in the glass industry still motivates me today over two decades on from joining the Livery family.
Katharine Coleman – Honorary Liveryman
I have been a practising glass engraver for some forty years and it came as a great honour and delight in 2009 to be elected an Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers. Membership has enabled me to enjoy the company of people from a fascinating range of backgrounds, all linked by a common interest in glass. The lectures, the dinners, speakers and visits all offer new insights, faces and friends, while the charitable activities ensure that glass continues to inspire a new generation from school age onwards in the myriad possibilities that this magical material – glass – provides.
Ed Adshead Grant
I joined the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers as a young man in the year 2000. I had always been curious about the City of London and its colourful heritage having been a Fishmonger Scholar at Gresham’s School in the 1980s. So, when I started my early career in London, I had the opportunity to get more involved in the Livery Companies and was introduced to the Glass Sellers of 1664.
Our annual programme of events is vast and diverse. It ranges from the Rt Hon Lord Mayor functions and quarterly Court Dinners to charity days, educational events on glass, an array of civic duties, social get-togethers, and much more. We do not have our own Livery Hall which is a gift so we can gather and enjoy our Fellowship throughout the year in a variety of stunning Halls and historical locations around the City. A Glass Seller is always on the move exploring, sharing, and celebrating the breadth of amazing sites around London. I find it a real privilege to be a Liveryman to support the Corporation of London and promote the wonderful industry of ubiquitous glass.
Caroline Whiteman
During my almost 20 years as a Glass Seller, I have always met with the utmost friendliness from my fellow members. I look forward to dinners and events, knowing that I shall have fun and interesting conversations.
Undoubtedly much of my pleasure comes from the fact that I have put time into the company having been fortunate to be on several of the committees. My time as Master’s Steward was particularly enjoyable as I met many of the company’s guests and as a result was in the position to introduce them around and see that they had an enjoyable evening. This was an ideal job for me as most of my working life has been spent with and for people.
Together with my husband, Past Master John, we have enjoyed many “Jollies”, and run one to the Lake District. Jollies are good opportunities for getting to know other Glass Sellers. We have seen interesting things, for example submarines being built in Broughton in Furness, and of course seen the production of glass, both artistic and more everyday glass. We have been to many places that we wouldn’t have seen in the general course of our lives, met some fascinating people, and been to some wonderful church services. I would recommend being a Glass Seller.
