As Master, it was a privilege to host this distinctive dinner on 16th February 2022 in Plaisterers’ Hall, in honour of our principal guest, Alderman and Sheriff Alison Gowman, our Deputy Master.

Our Deputy Master is a member of seven livery companies of the City of London, the Glovers (her Mother Company), Plaisterers, Chartered Surveyors, Solicitors, Constructors, Upholders and Fuellers and all came together in fellowship to venerate her Shrievalty year. We are all proud that Alison is a member of our companies and the important roles she continues to undertake whilst carrying out her Shrievalty duties.

Daphne Cave, Master Glover, welcomed Alison in a warm and intimate speech, in which she captured her life and career. Alison’s response was appreciative and modest. We seven companies were left in no doubt of the warmth and affection in which we were held by Alison.

That affection is clearly on display in Alison’s Shrievalty Badge, her ‘mood’ board as she refers to it. It is festooned with the badges of all seven companies. Alison often quotes an African saying: ‘If you want to travel fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together’. So her badge celebrates the journey she is on and those who share in that journey.

We seven are proud to be on Alison’s life’s journey and in the best livery tradition will ‘have her back’ on her voyage of enterprise and achievement. A wonderful celebratory dinner, enjoyed by all.