Guilds and the City
The Guild of Public Relations Practitioners is part of the modern City of London Livery movement that is believed to have had its origins in this country before 1066. Guilds (or mysteries, from the Latin 'misterium', meaning professional skill) flourished throughout Europe for many centuries. 'Livery' refers to uniform clothing as means of identification. 'Guild' derives from the Saxon word for payment, since membership of these fraternities was (and is) paid for.
The early companies were the medieval equivalent of trading standards departments, checking quality of goods and weights and measures. They also controlled imports, set wages and working conditions and trained apprentices. After many years of fierce dispute, an order of precedence for livery companies was finally settled in 1515, starting with Mercers at number one. Today City street names - such as Milk Street, Bread Street, Ironmonger Lane, Poultry, Cloth Fair and Mason's Avenue - mark the sites where it all began.
Trade and craft associations have flourished all over Europe for many centuries, but the City of London companies, now collectively known as the Livery, are unique in their survival, number and diversity.
The social and economic conditions which gave birth to the original guilds have long since been overtaken by the development of industry and commerce, but the livery companies still flourish today as living institutions. Their survival has been achieved by doing what they have always done: fostering their trade in a wide context, serving the community, and embracing modern skills and professions.
Public relations is an essential activity in the City of London and the UK is a world leader in this profession, so it seemed entirely appropriate that public relations professionals should take the first step towards creating their own Livery Company. The Guild of Public Relations Practitioners was formed in June 2000.
As one of the first City of London Guilds to be created in the 21st Century, it is important that our Guild strikes the right balance between old and new: promoting modem best practice in public relations while upholding the unique spirit and values that have sustained the Livery over the centuries.
Masters of the Guild
Each Master serves the Guild from September or October for one year.
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2008 - 2009 | Una Riley MCIPR |
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2007 - 2008 | Philip Dewhurst FCIPR |
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2006 - 2007 | Carol Friend FCIPR |
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2005 - 2006 | Mike Granatt CB FCIPR FRSA |
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2004 - 2005 | John F Gray FCIPR |
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2003 - 2004 | Rosemary Brook FCIPR |
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2002 - 2003 | Sir Rowland Whitehead Bt |
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2001 - 2002 | Stephen Jolly FCIPR |
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2000 - 2001 | Ric Gainsborough Foot CBE FCIPR |
In 1998, the late Ric Gainsborough Foot CBE, a leading figure in the electronics world, a Fellow of the Institute of Public Relations and a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, set about with others to assess the demand and the acceptability in the City of a new and dynamic Guild to represent the public relations profession. His approach to the Institute of Public Relations with the concept, in its own 50th anniversary year, was wholeheartedly supported by its then President, Peter L Walker FCIPR.
It was agreed that the lack of representation of public relations within the Livery was bad for the profession and bad for the City. Public relations was already well established and accepted as a critical business function.
A submission to the Court of Aldermen, sponsored by Alderman Gavyn Arthur and drafted in consultation with the then President and Director General of the Institute of Public Relations and other senior representatives of the profession, was in due course accepted unanimously by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. The submission was accompanied by documentation including a constitution meeting the requirements of the City.
Ric became the first Master of the City of London Guild of Public Relations Practitioners, which proudly took its place among the Livery companies, Companies and Guilds of the City of London. The inaugural general meeting of the Guild took place at Wax Chandlers' Hall, London, in June 2000. Alison Clarke FIPR, President of the Institute of Public Relations in that year, gave the inaugural speech.
Since its formation, the Guild of Public Relations Practitioners has taken an increasingly active role in the City and, meanwhile, the Insitute of Public Relations has achieved its Royal Charter.