> Home : The Company : Membership and Governance Membership and Governance More than half the membership of the Company comprises men and women engaged in the trade, which includes silversmiths and jewellers, and those in allied areas including design, retail and auction. The remainder of the membership incorporates a broad range of backgrounds and experience, with industry, commerce, education and the arts well represented. As with most other Livery Companies, the membership is made up of Freemen, Liverymen, and Assistants. Freemen, of whom there are over 1500, enter the Company by one of three routes: By Service – on completion of an indentured apprenticeship to a master who is a freeman (the apprentice will have had to bring his or her 'masterpiece' to the Hall for inspection by the Wardens) By Patrimony – for any person born after the date of a parent's freedom, having attained the age of 25 and been elected by a selection committee By Redemption – by an entrance fee, having been elected by a Selection Committee Enquiries concerning membership of the Company should be addressed to the Assistant Clerk. The Prime Warden's Badge Liverymen are selected from the Freedom by the Court of Assistants. Sufficient elections take place to maintain a total within the Livery of 275. The Assistants are in turn elected from within the Livery. The Court of Assistants, numbering about 30, is the governing body of the Company. Each year, four members are elected to become Wardens, who meet regularly and act as the Company's executive committee. The senior warden is known as the Prime Warden. A Freedom Ceremony in the Court Room. The Clerk about to call forward candidates to receive their Freedom certificates from the Wardens Day-to-day management of the Company is delegated to the Clerk (Chief Executive) who is supported by a full-time staff. The administration of the Company is achieved through the following committees: The Court of Wardens Chaired by the Prime Warden, this comprises the four Wardens with the Clerk and senior staff in support, responsible for all matters relating to the policy and direction of the Company. The Court of Assistants Chaired by the Prime Warden, the Court is made up of the four Wardens, all active Past Prime Wardens, and elected Assistants who have yet to become Wardens. Its prime purpose is to scrutinise and ratify the actions and recommendations of all the Company's committees and the Court of Wardens. The Investment Committee Made up of Assistants and Liverymen, dealing with all key issues relating to the Company's finances. The Assay Office Management Committee Made up of Assistants, Liverymen and co-opted members, along with senior Assay Office staff. Responsible for directing the Company's hallmarking business. The Technology Committee Made up of Assistants, Liverymen and Freemen associated with the trade. Responsible for directing the Company's support of the craft. See Technology & Training The Promotion Committee Made up of Assistants, Liverymen, Freemen and co-opted members. Responsible for the Company's PR and its programme of exhibitions and promotional events. See Exhibitions & Events The Charity Committee Made up of Assistants and Liverymen. Responsible for allocating the Company's general charitable grants. See Charities The Education Committee Made up of Assistants, Liverymen and co-opted teachers. Responsible for directing the Company's grants and initiatives aimed at assisting schools and teachers. See Education The Antique Plate Committee Made up of experts from the antiques trade, auction houses and museums. Responsible for scrutinising silver articles suspected of contravening the Hallmarking Act. See Hallmarking The Modern Collection Committee Made up of Assistants and Liverymen. Responsible for directing the purchase and commissioning of contemporary articles for the Company's collection. See Acquisition Policy The Collections and Library Committee Made up of Assistants, Liverymen and co-opted members. Responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the Company's collection of silver, jewellery and fine art, and the contents of the library and archives. See The Collections and The Library The House Committee Made up of Assistants and Liverymen. Responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the fabric and the running of the Hall.   In This Section A Brief Chronology The Trial of the Pyx Membership and Governance Quick Search:   Online database of suppliers, training courses and related services for the jewellery industry visit the portal Browse through the work of over 220 of the UK's leading designer craftsmen or search for a specific piece of jewellery or silver. visit the site