INSTALLATION DINNER

Merchant Taylors’ Hall

Wednesday 28 October 2026

Installation Dinner will be held at Marchant Taylors' Hall on Wednesday 28 October 2026, and will immediately follow and celebrate the installation of Louise Thompson as our new Master. This is the Company's premier event of the year so please book now!

Deputy Henry Pollard (right) with PH Pollard

[photo: Clive Totman]

Our Prinicpal Guest is Henry Pollard who was elected Chief Commoner of the City of London for 2025/26.  On Wednesday 30 September, Henry announced his candidacy for election as Sheriff of the City of London 2027.

Henry has spent over 35 years working in the City for a range of financial services companies. He has worked in Europe and Mexico as well as London in the commodity, derivatives, capital raising and fund management industries and was a founding member of EMFA (the alternative investments fund association now known as AIMA). He is currently Managing Director at C&E Capital Consulting.

Henry was elected in 2002 as a Member of the City of London Corporation for the Ward of Dowgate of which he is now the Deputy. He has served as Chairman of the Markets Board and currently sits on various committees including the Investment Committee, Planning & Transportation Committee, and City Bridge Foundation. He is Deputy Chairman of the Livery Committee, has previously served on the Police Authority Board and is a past Chairman of the Corporation’s Christ’s Hospital Committee. He has also served as Deputy Governor of The Honourable The Irish Society.

Henry is a Liveryman of the Skinners’ Company and became a Freeman in 1991 and has served on the Court as an Extra Member. He is a Founding Member and Past Master of the Guild of Investment Managers. He was awarded Honorary Freedom of the Security Professionals. He was educated at a Skinner’s school, Tonbridge School in Kent.

Henry is married to Michelle and they have two sons with whom he enjoys sport.

The Merchant Taylors’ Company originally known as the Fraternity of St John the Baptist of Tailors and Linen-Armourers, was founded prior to 1300 and acted as the regulator and trade guild for tailoring and its allied crafts. They received their first Royal Charter in 1327.

The Tailors managed to attract prominent members, which greatly increased their status, which led to increasing tensions in particular with the Skinners over civic processions and ceremonies, and the Order of Precedence. This was settled by the Lord Mayor, Robert Billesden, issuing an order in 1484 that the Company ranks in sixth or seventh place in the Order of Precedence, alternating with the Skinners' Company. The annual switch occurs at Easter.

In 1498 Sir John Percyvale became their first Lord Mayor, and in 1503 the Company received a new royal charter, which renamed them as the Merchant Taylors. The addition of 'merchant' recognised the growing number of national and international traders within the Company.

The Company has occupied the same site since at least 1347 and is the only ancient Livery Company to remain on its original site.  The first hall surviving unchanged until the Great Fire of London which left only the walls and foundations.  The hall was rebuilt and survived until the Blitz when it was hit by a number of incendiary bombs.

Reconstruction started some years after the end of the Second World War and the Hall was opened again in 1959. The surviving walls and foundations were incorporated into the restored hall.

TIMINGS

• 1815        Reception
• 1855        Installation Dinner
• 2200        Stirrup Cup
• 2230        Carriages

BOOK NOW
Tickets cost £169 and you can book places for yourself and your guests on the Company website.
You are advised to book early and please note that Pour Memoires are no longer sent out.

Liverymen are able to claim Tallage, which is now £50.
Any Freemen interested in becoming a Liveryman should contact the Clerk.

DRESS CODE
Black tie, Decorations, Livery Badges.

BOOKING DEADLINE
Please book your places by Wednesday 14 October.

LOCATION
Merchant Taylors' Hall, 30 Threadneedle Street, London  EC2R 8JB
View location

COMMON HALL
Common Hall - the Company's AGM - will follow on immediately after Installation Court.  It will start shortly after 1645 and all Fuellers are invited to attend.  A seperate Calling Notice has been issued.

CEREMONIAL COURT
There will be a Ceremonial Court immediately before the Reception to formally admit new Freemen and enrobe new Liverymen.  At the end of Ceremonial Court our new Master and Wardens will be formally installed.

Ceremonial Court follows Installation Court and will start promptly at 1745.  All members and their guests wishing to support our new Freemen and Liverymen and see our new Master and Wardens being installed are welcome to attend.

If you are expecting to be admited as a Freeman or enrobed as a Liveryman please contact the Clerk to ensure that you are included.