On Thursday 7th July, 2022, the Master Entrepreneur, Mrs Judy Hadden was pleased to convene a ceremonial Court to admit six candidates to the Freedom of the Company of Entrepreneurs. The Master, together with her Wardens and Court, listened earnestly to the citations of six successful entrepreneurs, before they recorded formally their pledge and declarations as Freemen.
 
In the beautiful surroundings of Apothecaries’ Hall, each then duly signed the Freedom Register as a pledge of their fidelity, and were then presented with certificates of Freedom by the Master. Each has undertaken to support the objects of the Company, and to support the work of one or more of the Company’s busy Committees, in Awards, Communications & Events, Education, Finance, Fundraising, Membership, or Outreach. Crucially, each has pledged their time, wealth, and talents in service of the Company and the Trust.
 
The Master welcomed them warmly as full members of the Company of Entrepreneurs. The Company’s newest Freemen are:
 
•    Simon Brocklebank-Fowler – a former diplomat and investment banker, and founder of crisis communications and reputation management firm Firehouse Communications. He holds fellowships at a number of leading business schools. Simon has a passion for philanthropy and public service - most recently on the ground in Kyiv. He has already pledged his support for the Company's Fundraising activities.
 
•    Edward Goodchild – a serial entrepreneur and founder of a current portfolio of six inter-connected businesses in his Zendht Venture Studio. He served in The Life Guards for six years, including service in Airborne Forces. He is a Chartered Wealth Manager, a Chartered Fellow of the CISI, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Fellow of the RSA. He currently serves as a Trustee of the Household Cavalry Foundation and a Governor of Royal Star & Garter. He is a Liveryman Skinner.
 
•    Paul Knights – after leading a buyout of Produce Plus some 15 years ago, Paul scaled the business to supply UK produce globally. He founded Golden Islands in Cyprus, and has expanded the business to include UK fruits and groceries into the Middle East. Paul has undertaken extensive charitable activities, especially those that support and mentor young offenders. He is particularly interested in working with the Company’s education and communications committees.
 
•    Brian Marcel – the founder of a barcoding business in 1982, Brian expanded into Eastern Europe in the late 1980s. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall he engage entrepreneurs from state-run companies and set them up in business. Now IBCS Group is the leading strategic service provider in Middle Europe, facilitating enterprise mobility solutions across the region. Brian mentors many young people in business and Chairs the charity Box Up Crime with a mission to steer vulnerable young people away from the influence of criminal gangs.
 
•    Yoge Patel - with a PhD in Digital Flight Systems, Yoge set up Blue Bear Systems Research to engage with Governments, multinational Defence Contractors, SMEs, and academia in the field of Unmanned Systems and Autonomous Vehicles. With over 70 staff - many home grown from apprentices – Blue Bear’s work at the bleeding edge of aviation research is focussed on getting to field testing and use rapidly at unprecedented pace. Her many successes and awards are a testament to her work and vision for future technologies.
 
•    Will Polston - after a short career in financial services, Will started up a variety of successful businesses. Theses have included a marketing business in the energy sector, a PE firm in the construction sector, and his current venture “Make it Happen” through which he and his team run motivational workshops around the UK. Will is now one of the UK’s leading and busiest business strategists and performance coaches. He’s a sought-after keynote speaker, Huffington Post author, and TEDx speaker.
 

                  

 
NOTES: the Freedom of the Company of Entrepreneurs is offered to successful entrepreneurs following completion of a successful application and interview, and the payment of a joining fee (Fine) and membership subscription (Quarterage).
 
If you are the founder of one or more successful businesses, the please get in touch with the Membership Committee who will be able to guide you through the application process. If you do not already know a Freeman Entrepreneur, there are regular informal events at which you can meet Freemen, and find supporters for your application.
 
There are no upper or lower age limits, and applications are encouraged from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences