Past Masters
2010-2011 Martin W Scarth CEng MICE MCIOB
Martin Scarth was appointed to the Court in 2008 having joined the Livery in 1990. He had a long and successful career in the construction industry at Kier PLC. During 40 years with the firm he was closely involved in the company’s buy out in 1992 and floatation on the London Stock market in 1996. Although he retired in 2003 he has continued to take an active interest in construction and property.
During and following his working life Martin has been active with various Charitable Trusts and has a keen interest in encouraging young people and empowering them. During his time as Master Martin encouraged the Glass Sellers connections with young people interested in glass by facilitating the support of an Apprentice. He also encouraged the development of connections with people working in the traditional glass industry and the Telecommunications, Media and Technology sector, which is one of the major users of glass in the 21st Century.
2009-10 Richard A Lawman CEng MICE MIStructE
Richard Lawman joined the Glass Sellers in 1987. He was educated at Dauntseys School in Wiltshire and on leaving in 1954, took articles with a firm of Consulting Civil Engineers, R T James and Partners, in Victoria. He studied Civil Engineering on a day release basis at what is now City University.
Richard became a Chartered Civil Engineer in 1964 and a Chartered Structural Engineer in 1971. In 1992 he formed his own practice Alexander Associates. As Master Richard has helped the Company continue its process of change.
2008 - 09 Robin G Arculus FCA MA(OXON) MIMC CMC
Robin Arculus was born and bred in Warwickshire in 1936 into a family that owned and ran a glassworks in Birmingham between 1875 and 1941. Being too young to join the family business, he was educated privately at Henley-in-Arden and Rugby, before being conscripted into the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards for his National Service. A posting to Catterick Camp in Yorkshire was followed by obtaining a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at Worcester College, Oxford and an accountancy qualification at the City firm of Barton, Mayhew & Co (now part of Ernst & Young). Several years in industry followed.
2007-08 Dr William G A Cook BSc PhD
Following a long career in the Glass Industry which included time as the Director General of British Glass Bill retired in 2000. During this time he saw a number of changes in the industry. Bill was Master of the Glass Sellers Company in 2007-08. During his year the Company had a highly successful Gala concert at Guildhall with the London Concert Choir which raised a significant contribution for the Charity Fund.
2006-07 Sir Anthony Hammond KCB QC
Tony became a Glass Seller in 1991 and was elected an Assistant to the Court in 2000. Following a long and illustrious career in the Civil Service he has worked as the Standing Counsel to the General Synod of the Church of England, where his main work consists of drafting Church legislation. He has also conducted several enquiries and investigations for the Government; the most important of which related to the resignation of Peter Mandelson from the Cabinet in 2001 (the Hinduja enquiry). Tony served as Master in 2006-07.
2005-06 Dr Joanna E Thomas MB BS, LRCP, MRCS
Joanna Thomas was the first woman to be Master of the Glass Sellers Company. She entered the Livery by patrimony and is the fourth generation of her family, that she knows of, to be a Liveryman of the Company. Her father, uncle and grandfather have all been Masters of the Company. The family business T&W Ide Ltd was selling and factoring glass from its works in Glasshouse Fields, Stepney, East London. It is now thought that the first glass house was established there in medieval times.
Jo is a General Practitioner who after 28 years as senior partner of a practice in Loughton, changed career in April 2004 to increase her Clinical Governance role with Epping Forest Primary Care Trust, while continuing with a small number of clinical sessions. This allows her more time and flexibility to concentrate on her many charity commitments. As Master Jo has helped the Company continue its process of change.
2004-05 Brian Rawles B.Sc.
After reading Chemistry at University Brian worked for many years in the Midland Bank and became involved in setting up exhibitions including one on the City of London. It was this first contact which drew him into the Glass Sellers Company and subsequently he became the Honorary Clerk from 1989 to 2003. After serving as warden he became Master in December 2004. His wide experience in the Company was of great benefit as he helped it to move through a period of considerable change. Brian's year included the first ever Glass Exhibition for winners of the Glass Sellers Award.
2003-04 Professor John Whiteman B.Sc. Ph.D. C.Math. FIMA FRSA
John is Professor of Numerical Analysis and Director of the Brunel Institute of Computational Mathematics (BICOM) at Brunel University. He also holds a number of positions in the world of mathematics and is a Distinguished Research Fellow at the University of Texas. During his year he combined the Company's Ravenscroft Lecture and the University's Brunel Lecture and gave it himself, helping to foster links between Academia and the City.
2002-03 Martin Everett M.W.
Martin was Managing Director of City wine merchants Mayor Sworder and a Director of its parent company JTDavies and Sons. From this City base he did much to secure the updating and democratisation of the Company and introduced the concept of making one Court Dinner a particular celebration of the Company's connections with the glass industry. As a Master of Wine he has been able to exert a very strong influence on the quality of the Company's hospitality.
2001-02 Eur Ing Kenneth Bacon C Eng. FIEE
Kenneth had an extensive career in the Defence and Telecommunications fields, holding senior positions within Philips, Plessey, Fairey and STC. During his year in office he introduced wider recognition of the modern uses of glass including a Ravenscroft Lecture on the use of glass fibre in electronics.
2000-01 Robin Long FCA
After retiring from accountancy Robin was able to devote more time to his hobbies including a lifelong interest in art glass. During his year in office he visited many glass companies and led a trip to the Corning Glass Museum in the USA. He is a Reader in the Church of England.
1999-2000 Rt Revd John Waine KCVO
John was Bishop of Chelmsford from 1986 to 1996. He is Prelate to the Order of St John and Clerk of the Closet to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. During his term as Master he was instrumental in bringing the Company's thinking up to date.
Other Past Masters have included:
1679 John Greene
Greene imported large quantities of drinking glasses from Murano in Venice made to his own designs and in various finishes such as speckled, enameled or clouded. His drawings still exist as do his instructions as to how to evade Customs Duty. In 1690 he presented to the Company our present handsome marquetry Poor Box.
1899 and 1900 and 1907 and 1911 Thomas Lampard Green
Past Master Green was unique in being elected Master a total of four times.
1940 and 1966 His Honour Sir Brett Cloutman VC MC QC
Sir Brett won the last Victoria Cross to be awarded in the Second World War by swimming under water and under fire to disconnect charges on a bridge which was due to be used by Allied troops.
