Wardens
The chief officer of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers is the Prime Warden. They are supported by an Upper and Under Warden. The Company had only a Prime Warden and a Junior Warden until 1998, when it was felt that due to the growing demands on the Prime Warden, it would be better to have two Wardens supporting them and to give the Prime Warden an extra year in which to learn and understand their role.
The Wardens are elected each year at the July Court meeting and installed in October. Installation Day begins with a Service of Thanksgiving at our Guild Church of St. Margaret Pattens. We then move to a Livery Hall for lunch and the installation of the Wardens for the forthcoming year.
The Basketmakers’ Company is one of seven London Livery Companies to have a Prime Warden. The others are the Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Dyers, Saddlers, Blacksmiths and Shipwrights. All the other Companies have a Master, with the exception of the Weavers, who have an Upper Bailiff. The Basketmakers appear to have had an Upper Warden as their main officer from their foundation until 1846, when it was decided to change the title to Prime Warden. No reason is given for this change.
Wardens
2024 - 2025
Julian Adams
Prime Warden
Julian Adams - Prime Warden 2024-2025
Julian has spent his entire working life in the City of London. He was an Executive Director of the Bank of England where he was responsible for the supervision of the insurance market in the UK. In 2015 he stepped down from the Bank to join Prudential PLC’s Global Executive Committee to take on responsibility for regulation and Government Affairs across the group. Following its demerger from the Prudential, Julian joined M&G PLC to perform the same role. He stepped down from his executive roles in 2023, since when he has become a Trustee of Homelessness Charity and a Trustee of the Community of St. Anselm at Lambeth Palace. Julian was a Trustee of the Basketmakers Charitable Trust from 2013 for ten years.
Mark Cooper
Upper Warden
Mark Cooper - Upper Warden 2024-2025
Mark’s background was initially in academia having started his career lecturing in and teaching modern European languages. After a period working and lecturing in central France, Mark carved his career in Learning and Development working for a series of large construction and facilities companies, becoming Director of People Development for an International construction and services company in 2011. In 2014, he set up his own business offering training and consultancy services to leadership and executive teams in the UK, Europe and Middle East.
Mark joined the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers in 1997 and has served as a steward, Chairman of the Membership Committee and secretary to the 450th Anniversary Committee. He is our liaison to our RN affiliate, HMS Richmond. He is also the secretary of the Basketmakers Lodge. Mark holds a BA(Hons) in Modern Languages from Bristol University.
He is married to Clare.
Jon Pyzer
Under Warden
Jon Pyzer - Under Warden 2024-2025
Jon has worked in the City for over 40 years after graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge. He has always been a great supporter of the City’s historic institutional fabric. Before his recent retirement he was a Senior Adviser in the trading room at the Bank of England and continues to work in the City as a consultant.
Along with Roger Barnes, Jon wrote The History of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers which is presented to all new members. He is active in promoting Diversity and Inclusion within the Company. He has previously served as the member of the Court responsible for our links with the basketmaking trade and was Chair of the Finance Committee of the Company for over 5 years. Jon is a Trustee of the Company’s Charitable Trust and also a Trustee of the Friends of St Margaret Pattens.
Jon has three grown up children (two of whom went to school in the City of London) and one grandson. He lives in Hertfordshire, has been a member of MCC for 50 years, is a season ticket holder at West Ham United and a part owner of two racehorses. He loves watching sport all over the world but is equally enthused to watch his son play cricket for the HAC in the City.