The Worshipful Company of HR Professionals achieves full livery status

The Worshipful Company of HR Professionals is the newest of all the City of London Livery Companies having achieved full Livery status on 3 February 2026 and becoming number 114 in the Order of Precedence.

Liveries are the ancient guilds, created to maintain standards within a particular trade or profession and many Companies can trace their history back to the 12th century. As times have changed so have the types of industries and professions seeking to become a Livery Company. In 1517 The Worshipful Company of Carmen was established, and at number 77 is deemed to be the last of the ancient Companies.

It took over 400 years for another profession to seek to be recognised as a Livery Company in the City, as the Master Mariners sought permission from the Court of Aldermen to form as a Guild and permission was granted in 1926, 100 years ago this year. The Master Mariners are regarded as the Father of the Modern Companies and we are delighted to have become the newest of the Modern Livery Companies, showing there is still a place for Livery Companies to maintain traditions of charitable works, fellowship, professional growth and promoting the profession within a very modern world.

In line with other Livery Companies when a Freeman becomes a Liveryman, the candidate is said to be ‘enclothed’: a gown is placed on them at the Court ceremony. A truly first and historical event in a Company’s history. The HR Company’s first ceremony took place on 29th April 2026 in Vintners’ Hall.

Becoming a Liveryman of a Company is a special moment and one to be savoured and remembered. To become a Liveryman, you must first become a Freeman of the Company and a Freeman of the City of London before you can petition to become a Liveryman. Becoming a liveryman recognises your good standing within our industry and your commitment to giving back to the profession and allows the individual the opportunity to vote in the elections of the City Sheriffs and Lord/Lady Mayor. It comes with rights and obligations, most notably to support the Company’s charitable endeavours and to support the City of London. Being part of a Livery Company is a commitment that will last long after you leave your current job or company. It is a personal commitment to the profession.

The Master at the time, Peter Cheese, said after the Ceremony, “This is a very historic and symbolic moment for our Company, having achieved the goal of becoming a full Livery Company in February 2026, this is the next step as we clothe our first Liverymen. This is an honour and something that will be recognised long in to the future, and another sign of the important position of our profession in the life of the City and beyond.”