The Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London is a membership organisation that connects young individuals associated with the traditions of the Freedom of the City in the City of London. The organisation has been partnered with the Order of Saint John since 2024.
Founded in 1976 as the Society of Young Freemen of the City of London during the Lord Mayoralty of Sir Robin Gillett Bt, the Guild was founded to provide a platform for young professionals to engage with the civic and historical traditions of the City. Over time, it has developed into a forum that fosters engagement with LondonâÂÂs heritage while supporting professional and community activities. The Guild is open to young professionals under the age of 40 and seeks to encourage greater participation in the customs and institutions of the City of London.
The Guild's current honorary president, Lord Mayor of London Alastair John Naisbitt King, presided over the Installation Banquet of the Young Freemen held at Mansion House on 13 January 2026.
In the mid-1970s, the City of London Corporation exploring ways to involve younger people in the CityâÂÂs civic life and encourage them to become Freemen. Internal discussions, led by the CorporationâÂÂs Policy and Parliamentary Committee and its Public Relations Sub-Committee, highlighted the need for an organised forum for young Freemen. In 1976, a working group of five Court members of the Guild of Freemen (the association of City Freemen), together with City Corporation representatives and a number of younger Freemen, met several times to develop this idea. These early committee deliberations culminated in a proposal to create a new body specifically for young Freemen, with the support of the Lord Mayor and the Corporation. By late 1976, the framework was in place for what was initially envisioned as a "Society" of young Freemen, dedicated to engaging the next generation in the heritage and traditions of the City.
The official formation of the Society of Young Freemen of the City of London took place at an inaugural meeting on 7 December 1976 at Mansion House, launched under the auspices of the then Lord Mayor, Sir Robin Gillett Bt (who served as the SocietyâÂÂs first Patron). The SocietyâÂÂs stated aim was "to promote an interest in and the interests of the City of London among Freemen of the City" â in practice, to increase the participation of young Freemen and Liverymen in City affairs and traditions.
Early leadership of the Society was drawn from young City Freemen: June Evans served as the first chairman in 1976âÂÂ77. She was followed by William Hunt and (Margaret) "Penny" Lewis â later known as Penny Harrison, among others, who together shaped the Society's direction in its formative years.
From the outset, the Lord Mayor agreed to act as Patron of the Society, and successive Lord Mayors continued this patronage tradition. The Society of Young Freemen quickly became active in the City's calendar: it held annual dinners and social events, arranged educational visits, and encouraged its membersâ involvement in historic ceremonies. Within a few years, the Society was recognised as a training ground for future Livery company members and City leaders, with several alumni later serving as Livery Masters, City officers, and even Lord Mayors.
In 2015, the Society adopted the name Guild of Young Freemen to better reflect City traditions. The Guild remains distinct from the older Guild of Freemen of the City of London, which was founded in 1908.
Members of the Guild regularly participate in major City events. It maintains a ceremonial role in the annual Lord Mayor's Show, where its members traditionally escort the wickerwork giants Gog and Magog through the City, in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers.
The Guild also contributes volunteer marshals to the annual Sheep Drive across London Bridge, a charitable event organised by the Worshipful Company of Woolmen which recreates the traditional right of Freemen to drive sheep over the Thames toll-free.
In addition to its ceremonial roles, the Guild hosts lectures, inter-livery networking events, and formal dinners throughout the year.
It has partnered with modern City of London livery companies such as the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, and supported other civic activities like the Lord Mayor's Big Curry Lunch.
On 28 November 2025, the Guild of Young Freemen of the City of London was incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee. The organisationâÂÂs Articles of Association define its objects as promoting participation in the civic affairs and traditions of the City of London and acting as an "incubator for prospective leadership." The constitution mandates that the Master and Wardens must be Freemen of the City of London and establishes a formal disciplinary framework, including a Disciplinary Court and adherence to the City of London Corporation's Code of Conduct.
In late 2025, the Guild came under scrutiny after allegations emerged that several members had been part of WhatsApp groups in which offensive content was shared. The Court commissioned an independent inquiry within 48 hours of becoming aware of the allegations. The inquiry reported in January 2026, finding that a number of individuals had behaved in a way that fell significantly short of the Guild's Code of Conduct, and that the Guild's governance arrangements required review. Following the inquiry, none of those individuals remained members of the Guild, and they were stated to be unwelcome at future activities and events.
Reuben Braden-Bell resigned as Master on 21 January 2026. Michael Polak was elected to succeed him on 28 January 2026. On 5 February, Polak published a statement addressed to the City and Livery setting out four governance reforms unanimously agreed by the Court: external supervision by an independent person; appointment of the Guild's first paid professional clerk; a whistleblowing policy with reports made to an independent person; and a revised complaints and disciplinary procedure.
The City of London Corporation confirmed it was separately reviewing whether to ban those implicated from Corporation events.
The Guild like other livery companies has military affiliations, and has been involved in activities with the London Area Sea Cadets, including attendance at joint ceremonial functions.
The Guild is affiliated with international humanitarian organisations including Saint John Eye Hospital Group, and the Order of St. John.
Members of the Guild have gone on to become liverymen, common councillors, and officers of City institutions.
Guild members include:
The presiding officer of the Society of Young Freemen was originally styled President. Following the adoption of the name the Guild of Young Freemen the title Master was adopted.