About our Livery The Upholders are one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London.  Principal Officers of the Upholders Master  - James (Jim) Kelly   Formerly Chairman of the Central London Branch of the Institute of Directors, his career spans science and business, commencing as a materials scientist at the Post Office Research Station in Dollis Hill, before moving into computer communications and network technologies at the advent of the office automation and information technology era. His career weaved in and out of the IT / Electronic Engineering world, into graphic arts and printing, before moving into the more solid world of company direction and business. He is visiting professor at the London Metropolitan University Business School. Married to Maureen, a former personnel manager turned soft furnishings project director, they live in North London and love country house opera, entertaining friends, good food and wine among many other things. A lover of cricket, but not fully converted to the 20/20 concept, James is a long time member of Middlesex county Cricket Club, a founder member of the Brian Johnson Memorial Trust and a member of the Lord’s Taverners. A former school governor, now advisory council member of London Metropolitan University, his memberships include the Institute of Directors, City Livery Club, United Wards Club, English Speaking Union, the Past Overseers Society of Saint Margaret & St John, Westminster and he is a council member of the City of London branch of the Royal Society of Saint George. Senior Warden Jeremy (Jerry) Appleyard Educated at Oundle School, a Grocers’ school, before moving on to Kent University to study Economics.   I am now CEO of General Medical Clinics PLC, a PLUS listed company that provides GP /nursing and Physiotherapy services for large corporate firms in the City and West End. We also specialise in travel medicine in all our medical centres but especially for oil companies, providing global health advice from Kazakhstan to Algeria to Mexico. Prior to this I have worked for British Waterways in charge of all the canal networks between Leicester and London as well as being Hotels and Marketing Director for Welcome Break. I am married to Mandy, a teacher and daughter to Past Master Michael Brecknell. We have 4 children Chris (20) Ben (18) Alexandra (16) and Harry (14) – so have become a glorified taxi driver between University / Rugby Club and parties. My hobbies include Basketball; I still play for a team every week, as well as Rugby, cooking and travel. I also, somehow, manage time for the allotment as well. I am proud and honoured to be asked to be a Senior Warden and hope to provide active assistance to the Master in delivering the goals of the Company. Junior Warden - Montague (Nick) Meyer Known to all as Nick. He joined the Court relatively recently but is Past Master of the Carmen and so already well known to many in the City. He is Chairman of Consolidated Timber Holdings Ltd. Chairman PXP Holdings Ltd. Chairman Docklands Settlements. Past President Timber Trade Federation.  He attended Cranleigh School and is continues to be very active as a Govenor and Trustee of the Cranleigh Foundation and in many Old Cranleighan activities including chairing the OC Ball this summer. His other interests include: history, all sports, Cornish folk singing and opera.  The Court and Committees The Court Chairman- The Master The Court is the principal decision making body of the Livery. It has up to 28 members; Master, Wardens, Past Masters and Court Assistants before the Chair. Honorary Assistants and Honorary Senior Assistants may also attend but do not have a vote. The Clerk records the minutes. Past Masters' Committee  Chairman - Past Master Christopher Hayman This influential committee recommends to the Court Officers for the year, membership of committees and recommends new Court Assistants after interviewing them. Its membership is all Past Masters and the current Master. Meets 2-3 times a year. Strategy & Planning Committee Chairman - Junior Warden This committee is responsible for long term planning as well as helping prepare the Wardens for their years as Master. The chairman is appointed from those Court Assistants approaching the Chair and remains until they become Master. Membership is Master, Wardens, IPM and up to 4 others. Meets on ad hoc basis between 2-4 times a year. Interview Committee  Secretary -  Past Master Christopher Hayman Two members of this committee interview candidates wishing to become Liverymen or Freemen and make their recommendation to the Court. The secretary guides candidates through the process of joining the Livery. Warden to the Trade Committee Chairman - Warden to the Trade - Stephen Chapman This energetic committee organises our events in support of the Trade and ensures our Livery is represented at the Wood Group and the Construction Livery Group. Through its membership it ensures we work closely with the AMUSF in matters affecting the Upholstery trade. Finance Committee Chairman - The Honorary Treasurer, Past Master Michael Brecknell This committee recommends the budget for each year (January - December) to the Court and ensures compliance with applicable accounting regulations. It also has oversight of the Investment and Charity Committees. Membership includes the Master and Wardens. Investment Committee Secretary - Chairman - The Honorary Treasurer This small committee of investment professionals is empowered to manage the company's invested funds. Peter Jackson Charity & Neville Hayman Charity Committee Chairman - a Trustee - Past master Christopher Hayman The committee is responsible for managing our charitable funds, donations and ensuring compliance with the Charities Act. Its membership includes the trustees of our charities: Joseph Byllam- Barnes, Hugh Taylor, Michael Brecknell and Richard Nevard and the chairman.   Publicity Committee  Chairman - Past Master Richard Nevard This committee prepares the annual issue of Upbraid and also has oversight of our Website and other material. List of Court Assistants The Court in January 2009 Clerk- Jean R. Cody Jean was Clothed in the Livery in January 2003 and was appointed Clerk in May 2003. She is a Freeman of the City of London and a Freeman of the Company. Jean was born in South London on 28th February 1947 and studied at Trinity School, the first purpose built comprehensive school for girls in London. At 17, having gained several GCEs including English, Maths and Art, she began work in one of Lloyds of London's insurance companies as an Audio Typist and Secretary. Jean was married to James in 1965 and has two sons and a daughter, all of whom are married - she currently has four grandsons and two granddaughters. James sadly passed away in 2009. She is a Director of the family engineering supplies business. Jean is President for the fifth time of the Innerwheel Club of Penge, an international organisation providing fundraising and service for local and international charities. Her hobbies include her grandchildren and family, cooking and home entertaining, holidays and travel, container gardening, Scottish Country Dancing and genealogy. Today there are approximately 250 Liverymen and Freemen Upholders of both sexes who are drawn from many professions and businesses. Membership is open to anyone supporting our aims. The term “Upholder” is an archaic word for “upholsterer”.  In past times Upholders carried out not just the manufacture and sale of upholstered goods but were cabinet makers, undertakers, soft furnishers, auctioneers and valuers. A 1747 definition of an Upholder was “This Tradesman’s Genius … (is) as a Connoisseur of every article that belongs to a House.” The Livery movement is not a secret organisation but few people outside those directly involved have heard of it. There are 108 Livery companies and 26,000 liverymen in the City of London. Between them they donate over £41million to charitable causes each year. A profile of the Livery movement can be found by following this link. back to top of page back to top of page The Worshipful Company of Upholders of The City of London