UK
On Monday, 1 July, Charlie Betteridge was elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Launderers (WCL) in the presence of The Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, the Company’s Honorary Chaplain and former Dean of Southwark Cathedral. Betteridge becomes the Company’s 64th Master.
On the same day, William Mackinders of Jacksons Workwear was elected to the Livery, the youngest Liveryman of the Company at just 19 years of age.
Following the Election Court, the Ceremony of Installation took place in the Court Room and was followed by an Evensong service at Southwark Cathedral including an Act of Dedication for the new Master.
Master, Wardens and guests returned to the Hall for a celebratory dinner followed by Betteridge’s speech in which he said he aims to bring more laundry professionals to the WCL as he sees the Worshipful Company as an ideal platform to raise the profile of the industry. He added that it really presents wonderful opportunities for industry networking through its events during the year and its prime London position in its history-rich premises on London Bridge.
At his first event as Master, his own installation, he was true to his word having invited a table of movers and shakers, including David Stevens, CEO of the Textile Services Association (TSA), as well as managing directors, owners and heads of major suppliers and laundry businesses.
Anna Pangbourne from the Master’s chosen charity for 2024-2025, the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust was guest speaker. She exhorted the assembled WCL officials and guests to do their best to support the Trust and raise awareness in the industry that the charity is there to help the children of textile care and fashion industry workers in tough times.
Prior to becoming master, WCL Court Assistant Betteridge was a Senior Warden. Deputy Master is Simon Fordham, the previous Master.
Betteridge has a long history in textile care having started at Proctor and Gamble in 1979 fresh from Oxford University with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. When the laundry business of P&G was taken over by the Osmac Group Betteridge moved to Germany and thence to a position at laundry chemicals solutions company Christeyns. He is now vice president global corporate accounts for Christeyns.
Betteridge is also chair of the TSA (since 2017) and is on the board of the European Textile Services Association (ETSA).
Education has always been an integral part of the Livery movement and this is reflected within the Worshipful Company of Launderers. A Committee dedicated to Education has historically and continually supported industry training courses through the consideration of course completion grants to delegates. In addition to this, the Launderers’ well established Travelling Scholarship scheme, affords up and coming members of our industry to visit industry locations within Europe to develop their industry knowledge and skills base.
One of the major objects of City Livery Companies is Benevolence. For example, in the year ended 31 March 2021, the Worshipful Company of Launderers Benevolent Fund (an authorised Charity) contributed over £35,000 to various causes. This included many donations to be used within the London Borough of Southwark, the City and to individuals who have worked within the laundry industry requiring support, as well as grants by the Education Fund for Travelling Scholarships.
For further information or a Gift Aid form, please contact the Clerk clerk@launderers.co.uk.
• Watch the video of the inauguration here
