Past Masters
200-07 Sir Anthony Hammond KCB QC
Tony became a Glass Seller in 1991and was elected an Assistant to the Court in 2000. He was educated at Malvern College and Emmanuel College, Cambridge where he read Classics and Law. After a spell as an Articled Clerk in the former London County Council, he qualified as a Solicitor in 1965.
He joined the Home Office in 1968 and became the Legal Adviser to the Home Office and the Northern Ireland Office in 1988. His career has been closely involved with the affairs of Northern Ireland since 1973 and he worked on the various constitutional changes affecting that Province and on anti-terrorist legislation. In 1992 he moved to the Department of Trade and Industry as its Solicitor and Legal Advise, and in 1997 became Her Majesty’s Procurator General, Treasury Solicitor and Head of the Government Legal Services.
Since he retired from 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 married Avril, whom he met while both were at the Home Office in 1988.
He is a devotee of classical music, notably opera, and Siamese cats. He has also had a lifelong passion for Bridge and represented the Civil Service at County Level. He and Avril live near Guildford in Surrey and relax, when they can, at their house overlooking the harbour at Fowey, in Cornwall.
2005-06 Dr Joanna E Thomas MB BS, LRCP, MRCS
Joanna Thomas entered the Glass Sellers Company 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 of this 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
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 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 is Managing Director of 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.
