Who are the Founders?
In short: We are a Livery Company
We are number 33 out of (currently) 111 Livery Companies, who nearly all reside within the Square Mile (The City of London).
What is a Livery Company?
Good question! Most Livery Companies are social and civic organisations that are built around an ancient or modern trade.
Many of them have been established for hundreds of years, such as The Worshipful Company of Fishmongers which was founded in 1272. We are slightly younger, we were founded in 1365!
Livery Companies were originally established in order to protect their craft from 'rogue traders' and ensure anyone practicing the trade was producing quality goods. You can find more about them by clicking here.
Now they enjoy the rich cultural activities of the City of London, plus most of them engage in substantial philanthropic activities.
Founder /ˈfaʊndə/
noun: founder; plural noun: founders
A person who manufactures articles of cast metal; the owner or operator of a foundry.
From the Oxford English Dictionary
What is a Founder?
In its earliest form the Founders' Company was made up of craftspeople who specialised in brass and 'latten' (an alloy of copper and zinc resembling brass), including making 'candlesticks, buckles, straps and other such like articles'.
The term has evolved greatly over time, and now encompasses a very wide range of trades and professions, with people from all walks of life.
What do we do now?
Our membership participates in a wide variety of activities. We have an annual spring tour, various sporting groups, meals throughout the year where you can get to know your fellow Founders, committees that govern our philanthropic giving, lectures, exhibitions, industry specific visits, and much much more. There is a Founders’ event happening almost every week.
We also run three charities. Large amounts of our grants go towards education, specifically in the metallurgy and materials engineering sphere.
Finally we boast a warm, intimate Livery Hall right in the heart of London, in the historic centre of Smithfield (Cloth Fair to be precise).
Our Hall is available for hire all year round and adds heritage and prestige to any event.
