Governance & Company Structure

The Company is governed by the Master, three Wardens and a Court of Assistants, supported by a number of specialist committees.

The Court includes those Assistants who are waiting to progress through the ranks of Warden to become Master Vintner. Those who have been through "the Chair" are known as Past Masters.

The Master and Wardens are elected annually and the Company's year runs from the date of the Master’s Installation, traditionally the second Wednesday in July.

The Junior Warden is known as the 'Swan Warden' and is responsible for all swan matters.

 The Master & Wardens 2026 - 2027

Ian Harris MBE BA DipWSET
Master

James Handford MW
Upper Warden

James Davy
Renter Warden

Andrew Paynter
Swan Warden

The Vintners’ Company Staff

The Company employs a small number of full-time and part-time staff headed by a Chief Executive traditionally called 'The Clerk'.

The administrative team is responsible for all Membership matters, Charity, Vintners' Company events, the Master and Consort's daily programme, as well as Company systems and support.

A small accounting team manages all matters pertaining to finance, and the Hall Hire team is managed by the General Manager.

An Archivist is engaged on a part-time basis.

 The Clerk - Jonathan Bourne-May [photo 2019]

Committees

The various Company committees comprise members of Court, the Livery and certain staff members.

Where possible, the specialist skill sets and knowledge of members are utilised in order to enhance Committee effectiveness.

Committees are normally chaired by a Past Master of the Company who serves as Chairman for a period of no more than three years. Each committee has a 'secretary' responsible for continuity, minute taking, document preparation and archive, as well as communications.

Aims & Objectives

The core ethos of all Livery Companies is timeless: fellowship, welfare, education, supporting the trade and, at all times, working in the best interests of the communities in which they operate.

The objectives of the Vintners' Company are:

  • Support for the Wine Trade

  • Preservation and enhancement of the Company’s assets

  • Support for charitable activities

  • Participation in the civic City

  • Achievement of the highest practicable standards of hospitality