Issue 59: May 2013
MONITOR
the newsletter of the Information Technologists
MASTER’S LETTER
T
he support of the IT and Telecoms industry is a fundamental duty of our Livery Company. Our work through the Industry Committee and Journeyman scheme is a major contributor in this area and our support for events such as the Entrepreneurship Panels Enterprise Awards, the “Technology for Good” and the “Internet of Things” briefings are all ways in which, as a modern Livery company, we can fulfil that role. I am delighted that since our last edition of Monitor we have also heard from the Chief Executives of both the British Computer Society and Intellect at our Business luncheons, helping to further cement our relationship with the IT industry. You may also be interested to hear that we are at present conducting two major feasibility studies, both of which could have a further profound positive impact on our industry. As a past student of an English Cathedral school, I have particularly enjoyed representing you at services in St. Pauls Cathedral, for both the Vintners 650 th Charter celebrations and the United Guilds Service, and in Spitalfields’ Church to celebrate the Huguenots escape from persecution. Members of the Court and their partners also recently attended Evensong in Rochester Cathedral. If you haven’t yet witnessed the wonderful way in which we entertain our Company guests and WCIT members in our Hall - with our new table layout, intimate lighting and atmosphere - you are missing a real treat. Our Masters’ and Clerks’ Dinners, where we entertain other Companies, are already famous throughout the City and our new Liveryman Dinners give our own members a chance to experience this for themselves. By way of contrast, I recently met the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in New Scotland Yard (as a dinner guest with the 108th Livery company, the Security Professionals) and I also met with HRH The Duke of Kent at the Lord Mayor’s charity curry lunch in Guildhall, what a fascinating and diverse City we are privileged to be a part of. We have been particularly honoured to recently welcome back our major sponsor, Past Master Dame Stephanie Shirley, to the Hall. “Steve’’ gave an inspirational talk for us at her recent book signing event, arranged by Court Assistant Dr John Riley. I am also delighted to report the return to our Company activities of Past Master Charles Hughes, who is making a rapid recovery after a really difficult period of severe illness. It was wonderful to see both Charles and his wife Beverley in Rochester recently. The gallant Clerk has achieved another great success, forming a new Cadet Association link for us with Beckenham and Penge Sea Cadets Corp. They receive no monetary support from the Royal Navy and your help in providing special aspirational experiences for them could make a significant impact on their young lives. Perhaps you could offer them a trip on your yacht, canal boat, or some other adventurous experience for them? If so please do contact the Clerk. If you want to know more about how your Master represents you, and the great privileges of his role in City life, please do follow me on Twitter @michaelskgrant
Michael Grant, WCIT Master
Inside this issue:
Master’s Letter Dame Stephanie Shirley Book Launch IT Charity Survey Workshop Education WCIT City Walk 1 3 4 6 8
List of Summer 2013 9 events Ski Club Come Dine With Us Clerk’s Letter 10 10 12