About Us

Inspiring Leaders

The LMA has an important part to play in continuing to promote equality and diversity, as well as championing the cause of women aspiring to leadership roles within the City.

At the lunch celebrating the 40th anniversary of the City’s first lady master, Dame Fiona Woolf (Lord Mayor 2013-2014) gave a warm-hearted and stirring rallying-cry to us all, celebrating the extraordinary way in which, from an extremely low base, women had increasingly made a prominent mark not only in the City institutions but also in the full range of professional life. Ending her address, she stressed the importance of our role in ensuring that we supported those women from the livery who were ‘in the pipeline’, to ensure a strong progression, building on what had gone before.

Pioneering Women

The First Lady Master

Sylvia Tutt Master of the Chartered Secretaries and Administrators 1983-84

When Sylvia Tutt was elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (WCCSA) in 1983, her unique position was matched only when Lady Mary Donaldson QC was installed later that year as the first female Lord Mayor of London. Becoming Master is always a distinction, and to select a female was a daring move by WCCSA. Quite simply Sylvia had earned her place in a man’s world, through qualification, her distinguished career, and diligent public and Livery service.

The First Female Lord Mayor

Dame Mary Donaldson 1983-1984

In 1966 Mary Donaldson began her career of ‘firsts’ by becoming the first woman to serve on the Court of Common Council. In 1975 she became the first female Alderman and in 1981 the first woman Sheriff. Finally, in 1983 she was elected the first female Lord Mayor of London.

None of this was achieved without the odd administrative hiccup. On enquiring how one should go about becoming Lord Mayor, a surprised official couldn’t help blurting out ‘But you are a woman!’

Patron

HRH The Princess Royal KG KT GCVO GCStJ QSO GCL

The Princess Royal is connected to 13 livery companies and has served as Master of eight: the Worshipful Companies of Butchers, Carmen, Farmers, Farriers, Fishmongers, Loriners, Master Mariners and Woolmen. She is the Perpetual Master of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.

We are honoured that she has agreed to be Patron of the Lady Masters Association.

History does not tell us who the first ever woman liveryman was in any company. It is, however, clear that, notwithstanding that many women are in their company’s records as a liveryman, no woman had ever been Master of any of the Livery Companies or City Guilds before 1983.

Erica Stary’s paper Women in the Livery and High Civic Office in the City explores this under-represented history and examines female advancement within the City’s livery companies and civic hierarchy.

Former Chairman of the LMA, Erica is Past Master Tax Adviser, Past Master Plumber and Past Master Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers. She is a retired solicitor and former judge.

Erica Stary

Women in the Livery and High Civic Office in the City

We're proud to support
The Magpie Project

Supporting mums and under-fives in temporary accommodation in Newham.

The Magpie Project provides a safe and fun place for mums and pre-school children suffering in temporary or insecure accommodation. All children have the right to a secure, safe place to play, healthy food, engaged, informed parents, and access to support, no matter what their family circumstances. The project provides families with essential supplies and offers support and advice to mums.

The LMA is a unique collection of talented women with experience of leadership across a range of roles and organisations – and they have a huge amount to offer each other and the wider world.