Clerk

Appointment of Clerk

The Honourable Company of Master Mariners

Thank you for your interest in this post. This information pack is designed to help you with your application. Please read it carefully before submitting your application.

Welcome from the Master, Lt Cdr Les Chapman CMMar FNI RN

Thank you for your interest in becoming the next Clerk of The Honourable Company of Master Mariners.

The attached information describes the Clerks role in detail as well as the qualities we seek in the appointed candidate. The Clerk manages the day-to-day running of the Company with considerable independence.

Founded in 1926, the Honourable Company is the senior of the modern livery companies maintaining continuing active participation from the Royal Family.

We recognise the importance of maintaining our roots by our enthusiasm for education and training which is a driving force within the company to this day. The Honourable Company has a strong commitment to the professional standards of the maritime industry. The education and training of future seafarers is regarded within the Honourable Company as one of our most vital roles.

The Company also maintains affiliations with various units of the Armed Forces, including training units.

If you would like to share in our purpose and have the skills, commercial acumen, experience and vigour to contribute to the next phase of our Company's development, we look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Les Chapman

Master

January 2025

BACKGROUND

The company was formed and incorporated in 1926. In February 1928, His Royal Highness, Edward, Prince of Wales was elected Master of the company. While the other livery companies are entitled to the style Worshipful, the Master Mariners are styled Honourable, King George V having granted them that honour in 1928. The company was made an official Livery Company by the City of London in 1932, making it the first new Livery Company to be formed since 1746.

In February 1952 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became royal patron of the Company. In June 1954, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was made a Master of the company. In 1988, His Royal Highness, Charles, Prince of Wales, was elected Master of the Honourable Company for a 2-year term. From 2005 to 2007, Her Royal Highness Anne, Princess Royal served as Master of the company.

The Honourable Company ranks seventy-eighth in the order of precedence for livery companies. Its motto is Loyalty and Service. The organisation nominally has the right to allow two of its Masters to serve as nautical assessors in the Admiralty Court.

The company works with other industry organisations such as the Nautical Institute, Trinity House and the Chamber of Shipping. This includes the organisations of lectures and command seminars.

THE CLERKS ROLE and RESPONSIBILTIES

Role: Clerk

Reports to: The Master and Court

Manages: The Executive Assistant, Finance Officer, Education & Outreach Manager

In summary the responsibilities of the Clerk are:

The Clerk is responsible to the Court for the day-to-day management and administration of the Company, for presenting ideas for its development, for the implementation of projects and initiatives and for representing the Company in the City of London and the wider Livery community.

Administration

• To undertake efficiently the day-to-day management and administration of the Company
• To attend and minute Court meetings
• To be practised at strategic planning and implementation
• To effectively use, develop and manage the Company Website
• To assist the Master in maintaining, organising and prioritising their diary
• To maintain an up-to-date record of all Members ensuring Data Protection compliance
• To be responsible for event planning and delivery

Financial

• Ensure detailed income and expenditure accounts in respect of the Company's Livery activities are maintained and monitored
• Experience of budget management and financial planning
• Overseeing company operations, resource allocation
• To ensure the collection of Quarterage both for the Livery and for the Freedom

Communications, Events, Representation

• The Clerk is the first point of contact for all external and internal communications and the public presentation of the Company to the City and other organisations.
• Maintaining a communications strategy to enhance the Company's public image.
• To accompany the Master to relevant events including the planning and running of the annual Remembrance Day service at Tower Hill.
• To be proficient in delivering first class, well organised events both formal and informal and ensuring all ceremonial functions and duties are maintained and carried out
• To maintain good communications with the Membership, the Court and external stakeholders
• To act as the Company's spokesperson in conjunction with the Master and to maintain, develop and protect the Company's reputation within the City and beyond

Military and Maritime Affiliations

• The Company regards its formal affiliations with units of His Majesty's Armed Forces as core to the Company; HMS Sutherland, The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, THV Galetta and The Sea Cadet Corps
• The Clerk is responsible for maintaining and encouraging active liaison and reciprocal activities with these units including, whenever possible, facilitating opportunities for serving personnel to take part in Company activities and City events

Emergency Powers and Court Elections

• In rare instances requiring immediate action to protect the Company's interests, such as incident management or crisis communication, the Clerk is authorised to take necessary measures and must consult the Master at the earliest opportunity.

• As the Returning Officer for Court Elections, the Clerk is accountable for: Managing the nomination process. And Efficient administration of elections.

The role might evolve and change with time and the Clerk must be flexible and adaptable to such change.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate will possess:

• Proven experience of the management and strategy development of a comparable sized organisation
• Effective leadership, organisational and administrative skills
• Prioritise & deliver on a multitude of different activities
• Evidence of successful project management and/or change management
• Experience of managing people and events under pressure
• Experience of the ethos and culture of the City of London and the Livery Community
• Experience of high-level protocol and ceremony
• Proven ability in financial management, budget experience and IT and social media skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality
• Commitment and energy
• Integrity

EMPLOYMENT TERMS & CONDITIONS

Location: Greenwich SE10 with frequent travel, primarily to the City of London

Hours of work: The responsibilities outlined can be managed within a 5-day working week but there is a requirement to work late on some occasions, particularly when attending 3rd party events in the City, or when delivering the main Company events.

Remuneration: £70,000 per annum.

Benefits: A pension scheme is available plus other benefits to be discussed on appointment.

Holiday: 25 days of paid holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas closure per annum.

Probation Period: There will be a probation period of six months. During this time either party may give one months notice. After the satisfactory completion of the six months the position will become permanent. Thereafter the notice period will be six months.

Full details, terms and conditions of employment issued when an offer of employment is made.

HOW TO APPLY

Please download further details of the position from our website:

www.maryleboneexecutivesearch.com/jobs

For an informal confidential discussion call Richard Evans on 07958 984161 or 020 3126 4858

Apply online with a full Curriculum Vitae detailing your skills and experience together with a 2 page Covering Letter clearly outlining your motivation to undertake the role and how you meet the competencies required for the position as stated in the Person Specification.

Closing date for applications: 20 February 2025

Long List interviews: 24 February 4 March 2025

Final Panel Interviews: 10/11 March 2025

To find out more visit: www.hcmm.org.uk