Installation Dinner

Wednesday 8 October 2025

The Installation Dinner will be held at Drapers' Hall on Wednesday 8 October 2025, and will immediately follow and celebrate the installation of Ashutosh Shastri as our new Master.

Our Prinicpal Guest is Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation.

As the de facto political leader of the City of London Corporation, Chris acts as a principal spokesperson and advocate for London as a global financial and professional services capital. Financial and professional services drive the UK economy, generating over £85bn in economic output annually, contributing 12% in total tax revenue to the UK government.

Chris also steers the development and delivery of the City Corporation’s priorities through the work of the Policy and Resources Committee which oversees the provision of local government services for our 8,600 residents and over 600,000 workers based in the Square Mile. Beyond our remit for financial and professional services, the City Corporation is the UK’s fourth biggest funder of culture, is the primary sponsor of the renowned Guildhall School of Music & Drama, is principal supporter of the Barbican Centre, Europe’s largest cultural space, and is leading the £397m redevelopment of the London Museum.
In a career spanning more than four decades, Chris has founded, led, and expanded companies across the UK and globally in a range of industries – including aviation, publishing, B2B business development and construction. He has balanced his professional responsibilities with a commitment to public service, engaging in British politics at both the local and national level since early adulthood. He is a former Deputy Leader of Hertfordshire and Dorset County Councils and was first elected to Common Council of the City of London Corporation in March 2013. He has previously served as Chairman of the City Corporation’s Planning & Transportation Committee and as Sheriff of the City of London from 2019-2021.

He continues to serve as a Non-Executive Director working with companies focused on property, infrastructure, civil-engineering, and planning.

Drapers' Hall, one of the most magnificent of all of the the livery halls, is home to The Worshipful Company of Drapers, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London.  The Company's origins date back to at least 1361. Originally a guild for merchants dealing in wool and cloth—England’s primary medieval exports—the Drapers played a crucial role in regulating the quality of cloth and overseeing trade standards.

In 1438, the Company received its first Royal Charter from King Henry VI, and in 1543 bought the site of their current hall from King Henry VIII for the sum of 1,800 marks (approximately £1,200). This had been the mansion and gardens of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex and Chief Minister to the King, but was forfeited after his execution. That original Tudor building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the hall was rebuilt between 1667–71 to a design by Edward Jarman. A major fire in 1772 caused extensive damage, so it was again rebuilt, this time under the oversight of John Gorham.   Alterations were made to the front and interior by Herbert Williams in the 1860s, and further alterations in 1898-9 by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson.  The sculptural entrance on Throgmorton Street is guarded by colossal turbaned figures and crowned with a heraldic pediment, disguising the opulence within behind a more commercial retail frontage built in the 1890s. The stunning interiors will be recognisable from many films including The King's Speech and Goldeneye.

Image by kind permission of Jonathan Yeo

Whilst the Drapers no longer engage in the cloth trade, they remain active in charitable work, particularly in education, housing, and support for the elderly. Today, the Drapers' Company continues to uphold centuries of tradition, philanthropy, and civic involvement within the historic framework of the City of London. As one of the oldest charitable bodies in the UK, they hold an extraordinary wealth of manuscripts, records and documents stretching from the 13th century to the present day. With a long tradition of commissioning work from the finest artists and craftsmen of the day they also have an eclectic collection of paintings, sculpture and works of art.  Once such painting that all guests will be able to see during the Reception is the recently unveiled portrait of King Charles III by Jonathan Yeo.  This now hangs in Drapers Hall and is quite magnificent to behold.

The Four Piece Salon Orchestra of the London Banqueting Ensemble will play during Installation Dinner and round off the evening with the ever popular Post Horn Gallop.

TIMINGS

• 1815        Reception
• 1855        Installation Dinner
• 2200        Stirrup Cup
• 2245        Carriages

BOOK NOW
Tickets cost £165 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 Friday 26 September.

LOCATION
Drapers' Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London  EC2N 2DQ
View location

COMMON HALL
Common Hall - the Company's AGM - will follow on immediately after Installation Court.  It will start shortly after 1700 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.