I am hugely honoured to be able to announce my Installation as Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists for the coming year. This marks the 40th anniversary of our foundation, or more accurately I am the 40th Master making it a ruby occasion.
I have set a theme of “Leadership”, driven mainly by my desire to see things done well. Great ideas can succeed or die on the back of leadership, and I don’t mean management. There is a distinction, Leaders set vision, build teams and influence them to move towards the achievement of a shared goal. They set strategy, look ahead, and proactively anticipate the issues and put in place mitigating solutions. It is about empowering, guiding, and inspiring individuals or teams to achieve results they could not accomplish alone, regardless of formal positions of authority.
In this world of misinformation, fake news and AI, the WCIT aims to be to be one of the most reliable sources of trustworthy thought leadership. We will expand our reach in this area through holding “think tank” type discussions with the senior leaders in our industry.
To help create the next generation of “tech leaders”, we are launching a brand-new programme “Leading 4 2-Morrow” – this is a 9-month programme supported by a number of our senior business leaders, who will draw on our philanthropic enterprise to shape the leadership skills for a cohort of younger members.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has helped me on this long journey, you don’t get to positions like this without a lot of support.
I look forward to serving as Master I shall uphold the position to the best of my abilities.
The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists’ Master Gus Machado and the Clerk Susan Hoefling were at Canary Wharf early this morning for the annual Magical Taxi Tour London Taxi, organised by the Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers. The charitable event has been running for over 30 years and involves a convoy of approximately 100 licensed taxis taking sick children and their families on a 3-day trip to Disneyland Paris. Along with a number of Livery Companies, the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists sponsors one of the taxis for the trip.
The convoy, including an escort from the City of London Police and the Gendarmerie Nationale, the AA and medical support vehicles, left this morning and we wish everyone a wonderful trip.
The Inter-livery Sailing Challenge is in its second year and the team from WCIT made our presence known, both socially and on the water competition.
The event is held at the Seaview Yacht Club on the Isle of Wight, organised by George Bastin (Past Master Ironmonger) and Mat Webb Jenkins (a Freeman of the Ironmongers). The club offer up their fleet of day boats called Mermaids, a 25ft (7.6m) open keel day boat, which needs a crew of 4 to handle the tight racing conditions. The weekend is George’s brainchild, following on from his success in starting the Great XII Sailing Regatta and the City Livery skiing, and he has now raised more than £1m for charity through these events!
The weekend was organised incredibly well with a tight schedule:
Weekend Schedule
Friday Practice (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Team practice in one of the Club’s Mermaids; support boats available to take the crews out and back.
Some 19 teams entered fielded by 15 Livery Companies hitting the water in Seaview’s delightful fleet of Mermaids, ready to do whatever it takes to lift the Princess Royal Challenge Cup – a trophy which is not only prestigious in meaning, but now a splendid item, kindly provided by the Glass Sellers.
The tone was set on a sunny Friday, as intrepid sailors arrived to practise their moves that afternoon. In all, 11 teams went out to wrestle with spinnakers and jibs, while tacking and gybing ferociously in lovely conditions. They weren’t used to this level of determination, and it boded well for a competitive Saturday.
Friday evening saw a full house at Seaview Yacht Club, where food and wine was taken, the atmosphere was most convivial, clearly everyone had their eyes on the prize the following day.
Saturday kicked off with bacon rolls at the club and everyone was on time for Nick’s briefing at 9 am. We had split our crews into 3 teams:
Skipper 1: Peter Charlesworth with Julia George, Leah Black & Richard Harvey
Skipper 2: Byron Glover with John Wyn, Sue Black and Martin Wright
Skipper 3: Paul Finch with James Parkinson, Nell (Clerk to the Tallow Chandlers) and Phil of the Dyers – a random team.
And then we were off – the first of 4 races went out in what was probably the kindest of conditions for the day. The first WCIT team led by Peter Charlesworth clocked up a ninth place, in race 2, the team skippered by Paul Finch secure an impressive 4th place. The afternoon was split into two halves, where the top 5 in each of the heats were entered into the final race. Peter secured a 2nd place and Paul a paltry 9th, meaning Peter’s team came 11th overall and Paul’s team 13th – out of 19 boats. Byron’s team missed the start line and were awarded a consolation prize of a Spec Savers Voucher, much hilarity followed at the Prize Giving.
The Turners continuing their imperious form from the previous year, romping home in first place.
Race 2 was also well fought, with the Shipwrights showing the way and, beating the competition across the line, became the overall winners taking home the Princess Royal Challenge Cup.
Peta Walmsley presented a trophy in memory of her late husband, which was nice to see. Many memories and friends were made and everyone is enthusiastic about going again next year.
Dates for diaries: Seaview Yacht Club on 10th/11th September 2027
If you would like to join us please email Paul Finch
The WCIT Education & Training Committee held its September meeting at Hammersmith Academy, beginning with a tour led by Headteacher Gary Kynaston. Gary shared the Academy’s 15-year journey and its close relationship with WCIT, which has supported the school since its foundation alongside the Mercers’ Company. Gary also outlined the Academy’s focus on preparing students for “real world success”, combining academic achievement with character, confidence and clearer routes into further education and employment.
The keynote was delivered by Maggie Philbin OBE, founder of TeenTech and former presenter of BBC’s Tomorrow’s World. Maggie explored how rapidly technology and careers are changing and highlighted the importance of giving young people opportunities to experiment, solve real problems and engage with industry mentors.
Stuart Mitchell, Chair of the WCIT’s IT and Climate Change Panel, also joined the meeting to discuss potential collaboration around technology, sustainability and climate education.
The meeting concluded with updates on apprenticeships, mentoring, careers engagement and the International Young Coders Competition, reinforcing E&TC’s focus on creating practical opportunities for young people.
The Senior Warden, Paul Finch, had a very busy morning with 8 back-to-back Teams calls to present the prizes to this year’s winners of the Young Coders Competition. After weeks of careful review by STEM Ambassadors – and with students from Park Junior School in Northampton also having their say – the judges finally made their selection. This year’s entries were full of creativity, determination and brilliant ideas around the theme ‘Neighbourhood Navigators’. From code to concept, it was impressive.
Our UK 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners each received shields, certificates and prize money, generously donated by Nimbl. The international winner also received certificates as did the judges from Park Junior School, all presented by the Senior Warden, who was standing in for the Master.
See for yourself the quality of the winning entries!
Key Stage 2 Winners
🥇 1st Place: The Chorister School – Durham Discoverers! — A clever, factual adventure guiding an alien through Durham’s landmarks. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehqt-3Zu
🥈 2nd Place: CARNEGIE PRIMARY SCHOOL – The Dunfermline Navigation Experience — A brilliantly narrated, creative tour led by a custom character named Mx Orbit. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eqHzZNpk
🥉 3rd Place: MiniSteps Coding Club – MiniSteps Byte Buddy — A unique virtual boat tour of Oxford featuring impressive visual depth and mechanics. 👉 https://lnkd.in/enFbbNAA
Key Stage 3 Winners
🥇 1st Place: Waldegrave School – The Terrific Twickenham Tour! — An engaging, interactive community exploration packed with gorgeous original art. 👉 https://lnkd.in/exQC-5th
🥈 2nd Place: Chelmsford County High School for Girls – London Neighbourhood Navigators — A highly professional, educational tour featuring custom audio and a virtual Oyster card reward. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eS5N4Mhx
🥉 3rd Place: Robert Gordon’s College – Our journey around Aberdeen — A seamless map-navigation game guided by a helpful penguin to balance facts with fun. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eG-Qwt5P
International Winners
🥇 1st Place: salamruby – Future guiding spark — A beautifully polished robot adventure with custom voice acting and a personalised certificate. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehVUmd_D
🥈 2nd Place: salamruby – Whisper of Marie — A gorgeous, story-driven maze and puzzle game exploring local culture and friendship. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eeKt5vvh
🥉 3rd Place: salamruby – little programmers — A vibrant, 7-stage journey gamifying the rich history and monuments of Iran. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eAhtspUF
The WCIT are proud to organise the Young Coders Competition in conjunction with LEBC / STEM Ambassadors and Nimbl, the sponsors, and congratulate all our brilliant coders, who no doubt will become WCIT members one day!
On Wednesday 8 July 26, we were welcomed by the Royal Signals to MoD Stafford for a ‘Day in the life of a Regiment’ event. The day started with a series of briefings on the Royal Corps of Signals and each of the three units we would be visiting throughout the day.
Our first visit was to 22 Signal Regiment whose role is to provide NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) HQ. Forming part of 1(UK) Signal Brigade, the regiment has over 500 personnel across 4 Signal Squadrons and a Support Squadron, coordinated by the Regimental HQ. Once at the Regiment, we were able to view the Falcon Vehicle Systems (see pictures below) and some of the satellite communications equipment the Regiment maintains and deploys.
While at the Regiment we also received a briefing from members of the Queens Gurkha Signals (who form two Squadrons within the Regiment) on Exercise Arrcade Strike – the covert deployment of hundreds of soldiers and 50 tons of equipment to set up and operate an ARRC under Charing Cross tube station. It was interesting to meet with some of the team who were able to share some of the technical and practical challenges they faced during the weeks below ground.
We next met with members of 16 Signal Regiment. Their role is to be at readiness to deliver combat communications support to Operational and Theatre Sustainment Brigades, and the Field Hospital. This means that they provide services to several units including 2 Medical Group and 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade (both within 1 UK Div), 102 Operational Sustainment within 3 UK Div, 104 Theatre Sustainment Brigade and, newly announced, 8 Engineer Brigade.
Unsurprisingly, the Regiments experiences many of the challenges those of us in civilian employment see when delivering core services to a portfolio of customers with differing needs and ways of working. Once again, we were given more low-level briefings into some of the equipment we were able to view and understand how the Regiment is deployed to meet the needs of the wider Army.
Following a lunch, kindly provided by the RSI, we had the opportunity to socialise with members of the Regiments and provide some information about the WCIT and our affiliation. This was well received and several requests for more information about us and our memberships have been received.
After lunch we had a short drive to visit the new £35m NATO Cyber Facility which is home to 280 (NATO) Signal Squadron. This state-of-the-art facility was opened in March by the Corps’ Colonel-in-Chief, The Princess Royal, and reflects the importance of the role the British play in NATO. The Squadron, while under the British Army, exists to command, train and deliver assigned forces at readiness, to enable Information and Communication Services to NATO HQs and deployed forces within the Land Environment.
The Squadron of just over 50 personnel is completely self-sufficient, something we saw quite clearly once inside the secure area within the Camp. We were able to visit the garages and workshop to see the NATO specification vehicles and examples of the communication equipment the Squadron utilises. Having handed in all electronic devices, watches and key fobs, we were then taken on a tour of the unclassified areas within the new facility.
In addition to the usual Royal Signals training, members of the Squadron undertake additional courses overseas to allow them to operate the NATO equipment and work as part of 3rd NATO Brigade. Commitments for the Squadron include The NATO Mission to Iran, Eastern European operations and the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, a team from the Squadron took part in Exercise Dynamic Mariner which involved driving equipment in convoy for around 2,500km in support of the Exercise in the Mediterranean. At the end of the Exercise, which was designed to test NATO’s ability to deploy, the team received the NATO CIS Group ‘Team of the Year’ award for their excellence.
Our thanks go to Col (Rtd) Joe Cooper (Director of the Royal Signals Institution) for his work turning an idea into an event, Capt Mann (OC Corps Outreach Team) for his briefing on the Royal Signals, Capt Wood (16SR) and Lt Salvessen (280 NATO Sqn) for their insights into the work of their units, and to Maj Ross (Acting CO 22SR) for supporting the visit from the first enquiry through to delivery. A special mention goes to Capt Laurence Kirk of 22SR who spent much of his ‘spare time’ over the last few months building the programme for the event, co-ordinating the delivery, briefing us on the work of 22 SR and being our most welcome host throughout our visit. If proof were needed of the value our affiliation brings, then it is the time willingly given to share insights into the work of the Corps with members of the Company.
Court Assistant Nick Claydon, Royal Signals Affiliation Relationship Manager
The IT & Climate Change Panel launched a Climate Survey in February to all members of WCIT. Click herefor the results. The survey, instigated by Yildiz Kara, consisted of 12 Company related Questions, in response to a call for evidence from the Climate Tech APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group), relating to Government Support and Regulation. Company results indicated that Client and Supply Chain pressures were key drivers for action. Technology is a genuine enabler but Government support and regulation in the UK tends to be fragmented and inadequate. International comparisons point to other countries having a more joined-up approach. One Respondent citing: “Regulatory complexity, fragmentation, and pace of change are the main barriers – not opposition to climate innovation itself”.
There were also 8 Questions for Individuals. Key Findings were that members felt they had a personal responsibility to mitigate climate change and many respondents have already made changes to their lifestyles and in their homes. The overall perception is that: “climate change is a major problem and not enough is being done”.
Good News: the survey was anonymous, but we had a draw for those willing to submit their names, and the winner of a bottle of Pommery Champagne is: Dr. Valerie Livina, who received the prize at the Hand & Shears in front of the WCIT plaque.
On the 18th of June 2026 I had the privilege of visiting Blandford Camp with the purpose of attending the award ceremony for the 2026 Royal Signals Apprentice of the Year Awards. The WCIT has a long history of recognising training and operational excellence within the Royal Signals, supporting various awards. The Medal for the Apprentice of the Year was first awarded 31 years ago to L/Cpl David Mears, who is now 30th Signal Regiment’s Second in Command. The WCIT is proud to be one of several civilian supporters of awards for outstanding achievement by Royal Signals apprentices.
The awards ceremony, arranged by Corps HQ, takes place within the annual Corps Conference, where I had the pleasure of meeting the Master of Signals (Lieutenant General Paul Griffiths) and the Chair of the Royal Signals Institution (Brigadier Richard Byfield) amongst many other serving and retired personnel and civilian supporters. The awards event concluded with an evening cocktail party allowing for networking; the evening concluded at sunset on the parade square enjoying a performance by a band consisting of the Brass, Drums and Pipes.
The winner of our award (Signaller Joshua Jepson seen below receiving the medal and cash award), is an Information Services Engineer who completed the Level 4 Network Engineer Apprenticeship with a Distinction grade, was delighted to have been recognised for his achievements. It is a truly inspiring experience to meet this next generation of exceptional soldiers entering their trade in the Royal Signals. Finally, my thanks to the Armed Forces Committee and especially to Court Assistant Nick Claydon for managing our RS relationship and programme year-round.
The WCIT’s recent visit to Lilian Baylis Technology School brought together 21 members and guests, including education, technology and delivery specialists. The tour was followed by an Education and Training Committee meeting, kindly hosted by LBTS, covering school engagement, talent growth strategy, the Outsmart the Smartphone initiative and future support opportunities.
Hammersmith Academy has also been active in national education and technology discussions, welcoming Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, for the Government’s Growing Up in the Online World consultation, while Year 7 students attended the launch of the proposed Natural History GCSE at the Natural History Museum and met Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education. Both events featured on national mainstream media channels.
Following the successful LBTS visit, the Education & Training Committee will organise a future WCIT member tour to Hammersmith Academy, with details to follow nearer the time.
Just before half term, Hammersmith Academy welcomed Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to the Academy as part of the Government’s Growing Up in the Online World consultation. During the visit, the Secretary of State met with students, parents, pastoral staff, and Headteacher Gary Kynaston to discuss online safety, digital wellbeing, social media, and the role schools and families play in supporting young people online. She also observed science lessons and learned more about the Academy’s approach to student wellbeing and our mobile phone policy.
Then, two weeks’ ago, a group of Hammersmith Academy’s Year 7 students was invited to attend the national launch of the Government’s proposed Natural History GCSE at the Natural History Museum. Hosted by the Natural History Museum and the Department for Education, the event brought together students, educators, scientists, and policymakers to discuss the future qualification. Our students took part in science activities, met with Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, and contributed their views on the proposed GCSE.
Ahead of the event, students also participated in an online discussion with naturalist and broadcaster Steve Backshall, exploring the importance of helping young people connect with the natural world. The event attracted significant media attention, with Hammersmith Academy students appearing across national and regional coverage, including Sky News, ITV News, LBC and Department for Education channels.
Both stories were also picked up by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Communications Team and shared with their network of more than 33,000 subscribers, significantly extending the reach of the Academy’s positive news and further strengthening our profile across the local community.
Two excellent examples of how we continue to deliver on our commitment to preparing students for real world success through exceptional opportunities beyond the classroom!
