The Company of Entrepreneurs has long been blessed with fine Spring days for its annual luncheon, and the skies were clear and bright as Freemen Entrepreneurs and their guests arrived at Drapers’ Hall on 22nd March 2022. Smartly attired in morning dress and admiring the finery of the Hall and gardens, Freemen were privileged to witness new Freemen Entrepreneurs admitted to the Company by the Master, Mrs Judy Hadden, and 16 of their fellow Freemen admitted as Freemen of the City of London by the Clerk to the Chamberlain’s Court, Mr Murray Craig.
 

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The generous hospitality and fellowship of the Spring Lunch has ensured its continued success, and, following reception drinks in the bright and sunny Court Room, Freemen and guests made their way to the Court Dining Room, overlooking the magnificent magnolia trees of the gardens. Fr Nick Mottershead, deputising once again for the Entrepreneurs’ Chaplain, declaimed in sonorous Cymric tones a brief and reflective Lenten homily. Thankful and introspective, the assembly was treated to a smart luncheon of blushing sirloin followed by unctuous praline, and Seville ice-cream. Invigorating wines (grenaches noir and blanc) accompanied the food and conversation into the afternoon before the Master rose to deliver a toast. She spoke to welcome to the Company’s guests – principally, Mr Andrew Marsden, who was to be the afternoon’s speaker – and Mr Marsden replied.

   

The Company of Entrepreneurs © Sillett Photography

Andrew Marsden wears a great number of hats - not least as the Chairman of the Financial Services Group of Livery Companies (of which the Company of Entrepreneurs is an observer). He is also a Past Master of the Marketors’ Company, to which for its continued support, the Entrepreneurs Company owes a deep sense of corporate gratitude. The friendship of the Marketors’ Company has endured, and Andrew Marsden’s support in particular has strengthened the Entrepreneurs’ ambition to become a Livery Company.
 
Friend of the Entrepreneurs and friend of the City of London, Andrew has had a long association with the civic life of the City of London, and has allowed himself to be put forward as a candidate for Non-Aldermanic Sheriff for 2022-23.
 
He was well-placed, therefore, to speak “On Freedom”. Conscious of the dreadful events unfolding in Ukraine, Mr Marsden reflected on the relevance of the ancient Freedom of the City, and the concept of rights and obligations – both of and for Freedom in the 21st Century. It was at times sobering to consider that Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction, and that the enduring privileges of Freedom – whether personal or professional – must occasionally be courageously defended.

  

The Company of Entrepreneurs © Sillett Photography

 
He ended in praise of enterprise and innovation, and of the Entrepreneurs’ Award in Social Innovation, and exhorted all to drink a toast the the Company of Entrepreneurs, and to the Master.
 
The Master replied in thanks, and, in particular, to congratulate the City of London’s “youngest” Freemen on their new status. It was an afternoon of celebration and reflection, and a fitting addition to the catalogue of one of the Entrepreneurs’ most enduring traditions.
 
NOTES: The Spring Lunch (sometimes a breakfast) is held annually on the Tuesday before Mothering Sunday, where Freemen, their business guests, and guests of the Company are nourished both physically and intellectually. Good food is served, and a notable speaker addresses a contemporary topic in business and entrepreneurship.
 
In 2016 it was held aboard HQS Wellington, and, coinciding (as it did that year) with International Women’s Day, Claire Cockerton took as her theme Promoting Gender Parity in Modern Entrepreneurship.
 
In 2017, it took place at the London Capital Club. The speaker, Anthony Belchambers, talked about Brexit, Trump, and the New Landscape for Entrepreneurs.
 
In 2018, at Armourers’ Hall, where insurance veteran Robert Hiscox spoke upon Risk, Belief – and the Entrepreneur.
 
In 2019, at HomeGrown, the Belgian Ambassador, His Excellency Rudolf Huygelen, addressed Belgium, Britain, and the other B-word…
 
In 2021, Sheriff Chris Hayward spoke at a virtual event on Enterprise – Opportunities and Challenges in the City of London.
 
The Spring Lunch 2023 will be on Tuesday 14th March, 2023