11 Jun 2026
Master's Blog - May 2026
EASI26 Final
The Entrepreneurs’ Award in Social Innovation is rightly one of our flagship programmes, where together with the Trust we deliver an annual package of mentorship and education for an exceptional group of innovative, ethical, and impactful early-stage businesses. Huge congratulations to Mary-Brenda Akoda of GenScan AI who scooped the £10,000 grant, and to the founders of Joyvie, Tera Mira, Reporti, and Avanc for making it to the Final. All begin a year of mentoring and masterclasses and all will be at the Election Court Banquet on 1st July.
EDI Implementation Imperative
The Company’s DEI team is respected throughout the City of London, and (together with the Human Resources Professionals, the Marketors, and the Livery Committee) led on a standout event at Guildhall. Again, the event focussed on practical implementation for better business. A key takeaway was the evolving simplification of EDI terminology, and a common sense approach which cuts through to fairness to all.
InfluencersLDN
In yet another collaboration, this time with the Stationers’ Company, the rapid pace of the influencer economy was in the spotlight at Stationers’ Hall. The intersection of media, communications, and entrepreneurship is a fascinating space for creative businesses to begin, and the focus of the panels on the practical challenges and opportunities of “engagement” was superbly stimulating.
The Master’s Weekend
It was a great joy to welcome two dozen members and guests for a packed weekend curated in and around the City of Cambridge. The full gamut of events and activities was paired with an astonishing array of foods - from a slap-up curry, to black-tie fine dining, to (yes really) Yorkshire pudding burritos!
The weekend centred around Judge Business School, where we all found ourselves back in the classroom (some more comfortably than others!). Everyone had something to say and something to learn, and the focus on scaling businesses in the UK provided food for thought as we looked ahead to Scale-Up Capital.
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Scale-Up Capital By the time you read this, the first of our Scale-Up Capital events will have taken place, but we are looking forward with earnest anticipation to events in September and January under this distinctive brand. Expect to see the rocket ship symbol in more and more places – and please do promote the Scale-Up Capital webpage to any businesses you know who are looking for development or series A funding (c.£5m-£30m).
Coming up – Common Hall, 24th June With all the important entrepreneurial activities taking place, it’s important we don’t forget the things that make Livery Companies unique. With that in mind, I am especially looking forward to the historic participation of Liverymen Entrepreneurs at Common Hall. It is our right (and a responsibility) as a Livery Company to contribute to the peculiar democratic processes of the City of London, and if you were clothed with the Livery before the end of May 2025, you can be there at Midsummer Common Hall (Election of Sheriffs) on 24th June. I’m on duty as Alderman that day, but I’m delighted that Past Master Talbot will be taking part in the procession of 113 Livery Company Masters (the HR Professional will be eligible next year). I will be joining you at lunch afterwards at Founders' Hall – I understand it’s almost fully booked, but please do ask Mary to see if she can squeeze you in. PS: the picture is from when I was elected as Sheriff (together with Andrew Marsden) back in 2022 - your candidates this year are, I'm sure, even more photogenic!
Election Court Banquet Invitations pour memoire have already gone out to those who are attending. By the time you read this, it might also be fully booked, but do check the website for availability and ask Mary if you’d like to redeem your Events Levy against a ticket or be added to a waiting list. Don't forget to check the dress code - full details will be issued with the invitations pour memoire.
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