Dame Penny Mordaunt to Speak at Installation Dinner 2026

We are excited to announce that our Installation Dinner will take place on Thursday 29 January 2026 at Grocers’ Hall, London. The evening will celebrate fellowship, tradition and the ongoing role of Livery Companies in the life of the City of London.

We are delighted that the Rt Hon Dame Penny Mordaunt will be our guest speaker. A former Cabinet Minister, she served 14 years in Parliament, including as Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for the Armed Forces, and played a prominent role at the Accession Council and the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

Dame Penny now works across defence, development and philanthropy, and is co-author of Pomp & Circumstance: Why Britain’s Traditions Matter, which explores the enduring significance of City and Livery traditions.

The evening will feature the installation of our new Master, Justine McGuinness, and the launch of the Master’s Charity for 2026, Missing People, which supports children, adults and families affected by disappearance.

“I’m thrilled that Dame Penny Mordaunt will be joining us for what promises to be a memorable evening,” said Justine McGuinness. “I’m especially proud to launch Missing People as the Master’s Charity for 2026; it’s a charity close to my heart that exemplifies the importance of communications.

Missing People provides a vital lifeline to those affected by a disappearance or those thinking of going missing. Like many Livery Companies, we will support a Master’s Charity alongside our own fundraising, extending the reach and impact of our work.”

From the splendour of Grocers’ Hall to the rich traditions of the Livery, the Installation Dinner will celebrate fellowship and the important role that communicators play in the life of the City.