It is with great sadness that the Clerk has to report that Past Master Andrew Bainbridge died Monday 20 April 2026.
Andrew began his career aged 16 as a journalist in the North East, joining a leading UK public relations consultancy some five years later where he helped companies such as British Oxygen, Pilkington, Boots and Ford. At the age of 24 he established his own public affairs & marketing consultancy cutting his teeth in the energy industry for multinationals such as Johnson Controls and Satchwell.
Andrew set up the Major Energy Users’ Council in 1983 on the advice of Lord Derek Ezra, one of the founders of the Fuellers and a former Chairman of the National Coal Board, who was MEUC’s first President.
Following the energy industry privatisation by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, MEUC provided advice on buying and using energy, water and telecoms to the UK’s largest consumers and organised meetings for energy professionals which enabled large customers to develop relationships with all the leading suppliers and secure the fairest prices and trading terms. Three successful Trade Missions were organised in Brussels. In 2011 Andrew received the coveted EMAP ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Energy Industry’ Award.
A Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a member of the Carlton Club, he was particularly proud of his involvement with the Honourable Society of Masters which offers counsel, support and protection to the business leaders within its ranks.
Andrew was admitted as a Freeman on Thursday 28 April 1994 at Election Court held at Bakers Hall, enrobed in the Livery the following year on Thursday 27 April 1995 at Election Court held at Watermen’s Hall and joined Court in 1999. He was installed as Master on Thursday 3 October 2002 at Merchant Taylor’s Hall, announcing that it was “..the second most important thing to happen to me in recent years [....] even more important is that I have just become a Grandfather.”!
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| ‘The Master, Andrew Bainbridge, cuts one of two birthday cakes.’[The Fueller 21 - December 2003] The Fuellers celebrated Andrew’s 69th birthday with an afternoon cruising on the River Severn. Afterwards most moved on to the opening concert at the Hereford Cathedral Three Choirs’ Festival, before a surprise supper arranged by Marianne of fish & chips (wrapped in The Telegraph) and mushy peas. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Marianne and all of his family. He will be greatly missed by the Fuellers. |
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| Andrew & Marianne Bainbridge at his Installation [The Fueller No.19 - December 2002] |