The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

Budget Banquet Tuesday 17 March 2026

The Company’s annual Budget Banquet was held on Tue 17 March in the wonderful surroundings of Stationers’ Hall, occupied by the Company since 1611, and celebrated for its grand and capacious interior, impressive stained glass and banners, and historic atmosphere.

More than 150 Liverymen, Freemen, their guests, and guests of the Company gathered to enjoy a welcoming Drinks Reception in the Court Room and a wonderful Dinner in the Livery Hall.  Masters of almost all the Financial Services Group of livery companies were present, along with senior representatives from CIOT and ATT.  The Company also hosted representatives of Rathbones, our corporate partners.

We were honoured to have the Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark, as our guest of honour.  Recognised as ‘one of the most distinctive, intelligent and refreshing voices in the Church of England’, the Dean’s after-dinner speech was all those things.

 

“Our Worshipful Companies are not here to be examples of power; they are here to show the power of example,” he invoked.

“Be a Company that is proudly loyal to your creation but also creatively and compassionately loyal to the future, not just our own, but those we share this life with, because so many need you. Sometimes in such great institutions our past gets a superiority complex. But it is our task to prove that our future is equal to it.  Look around us now – we have so much resource, tremendous personalities, talents, time if we make it, and there is so much need at the moment.  Be of good and healthy heart – and then take it for a walk in the world.”

Excellent speeches were also delivered by Howard Ashmore, as Middle Warden introducing the guests, and Matthew Peppitt, the Master.

Cadets of the City of London and North East Sector Army Cadet Force provided an outstanding stair guard, the size of the detachment enabling them to be present and prominent throughout the Hall.

The talented pianist, Andrew Cowie, provided superb accompaniment to the Master’s procession, the singing of Closing Grace, and the passing of the Loving Cup, before his outstanding finale –performing a variety of pieces with an epic, cinematic theme.

Earlier in the day, three new Freemen were admitted at Court and duly took wine with the Master at dinner, along with six others following ceremonies at previous Court meetings.

Photographs from the Budget Banquet can be found, and digital images downloaded, here.

The Budget Banquet next year will be held on Tue 16 Mar 27, at Grocers’ Hall