The Process of Becoming a Member

 
Membership of our company is typically 'Freedom by Redemption': admission by introduction that involves the support of a Proposer and two Seconders, all being existing members of our Company. (Like all Livery Companies, we also share the traditional custom of 'Freedom by Patrimony' - admission by birthright of a child of a Freeman of our Company and of the City.)

We welcome membership applications from all those within the management consultancy profession, particularly consultants who share our values and aims, and our interest in making a difference within the Non-Profit Sector. In detail, our Statutes define membership (becoming a Freeman or Junior Freeman) as follows:

The Freedom of The Worshipful Company of Management Consultants shall be limited to persons who are professionally qualified in a discipline directly connected with or related to the profession and industry or who in the opinion of the Court are or have been engaged, associated or experienced with the fostering and promotion of the profession and industry or practices allied thereto concerned with supporting successful business change and enhancing business performance and who hold or have held senior professional commercial or other positions therein and shall be by Patrimony, Redemption or Servitude as hereinafter provided.

In line with this broad definition, we welcome applications from those who are established in, or in the early stages of, their career in Management Consultancy — as Freemen or Junior Freemen respectively. We hold regular admissions ceremonies throughout the year, typically prior to one of our main events.

Starting the Membership Process
As the very first step, we ask that you complete our short online "Connect with Us" form. This sets up some initial information within our membership systems and ensures that we are complying with GDPR legislation. Please click here to open the Connect with Us form in a new tab. On completion, one of our Membership Committee will contact you to guide you through the process and the completion of your application form online.

Proposer (Sponsor) and Seconders
Three Members of the Company (your proposer and two seconders) will need to support your application and they will complete the relevant sections of your application form. Your proposer starts this on your behalf and the whole process is electronic and original signatures are not required. If you have difficulty identifying a proposer or seconders, please speak to the Chair of the Membership Committee.

Interview
All Candidates are invited to meet with a member of the Membership Committee of the Company, as an informal interview. This meeting provides an opportunity for the Committee to assure the Court that the Candidate understands the objectives and functions of the Company, understands the obligations of Membership, meets the Criteria of Membership and will be a good Member of the Company. Candidates should give some thought before attending the interview as to why they want to join the Company and what they hope to contribute.

Court
All Candidates' names are submitted to the Court, which is the final arbiter on Membership. Once approved for membership by Court and arranged their initial fee payments, new members will be given a username and password to enable them as Approved Members to login to the website where they can register for and attend Company events pending their full admission, as well as benefiting from the wealth of information available to our members through our website. They are also able to complete their professional profile in our membership database and engage with our charitable activities.

Admission Ceremony
As soon as practical after approval, new Approved Members will be fully admitted to the Company as Freemen, or Junior Freemen, at a short formal ceremony, usually held immediately before a Company Event. Progression from Junior Freeman to Freeman is also recognised and celebrated at an admission ceremony. As part of the ceremony, each approved member is required to make the following Declaration:

“I do solemnly and sincerely declare that I will obey and be true to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and to her heirs and successors, Kings, and Queens of the Realm, my country and the laws which govern me and my fellow Freemen. I will honour the mystery and art of my profession and of all those who practise as Management Consultants.

I will behave at all times, now and hereafter, as becomes a Freeman of the Company of Management Consultants and will, with deference, pay my dues to The Master, Wardens and Clerk.

I will uphold the rules and customs of the City of London and of our Company doing everything in my power to hinder such persons as might conspire against us. I will always treat others, as I would wish to be treated, with honesty and integrity, in the spirit of the traditional City principle that ‘My Word is my Bond’.

If I ever commit, or intend to commit, an evil deed or hurt against the values or obligations of those who practise as Management Consultants, I shall forfeit my own honour and my status as a Freeman of this Company.”

© WCoMC Worshipful Company of Management Consultants 2014

Fees
The Admission Fine (admission fee) is payable with the application and is non-refundable. If a Candidate is approved by Court, the appropriate proportion of quarterage (annual subscription) for the remainder of the current Company year will be requested prior to their becoming Approved Members or admitted as Freemen. All prospective members are therefore also asked to complete a Direct Debit mandate for future quarterage payments and donations to our Charitable Fund. Please click here to download a Direct Debit Mandate which should be printed then completed by hand and returned to the Clerk at our office address; similarly please click here to download a Gift Aid Declaration in relation to our Charitable Fund. In certain circumstances, members may agree with The Clerk to make one-off payments in settlement of their fees.

Admission to the Livery
Having been admitted as a Freeman of the Company, a Member may proceed to joining ("being clothed with") the Livery. The first step is to become a Freeman of the City of London ("Free of the City"); the Company will assist in this process. The admission takes place at Guildhall in a short ceremony usually presided over by the Clerk to the Chamberlain's Court, following a tradition that can be traced back to the thirteenth century. More details can be found by visiting the City of London Website.  a one-off Freedom Fine is payable to the City. Once Free of the City and subject to the approval of our Court, a prospective Liverymen will be clothed at a Company admissions ceremony, typically prior to one of our main events during each year; a Livery Fine is payable. As part of the clothing ceremony, each member is required to make the following Declaration:

“As a Freemen of this Worshipful Company and of the City of London, I do solemnly and sincerely declare that I will obey and be true to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and to her heirs and successors, Kings, and Queens of the Realm, my country and the laws which govern me and my fellow Liverymen. I will honour the mystery and art of my profession and of all those who practise as Management Consultants.

I will behave at all times, now and hereafter, as becomes a Liveryman of the Company of Management Consultants and will, with deference, pay my dues to The Master, Wardens and Clerk.

I will uphold the rules and customs of the City of London and of our Company doing everything in my power to hinder such persons as might conspire against us. I will always treat others, as I would wish to be treated, with honesty and integrity, in the spirit of the traditional City principle that ‘My Word is my Bond’.

If I ever commit, or intend to commit, an evil deed or hurt against the values or obligations of those who practise as Management Consultants, I shall forfeit my own honour and my status as a Liveryman of this Company.

I recognise that my admission to the Livery of this Worshipful Company places in my hands important rights as a citizen of London with regard to the election of The Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and other high officers of the City. I further recognise that by these rights I am beholden to fulfil my obligations as a Liveryman and to take my rightful place in service of the City, this worshipful Company and the fellowship of its Freemen and Liverymen.”

© WCoMC Worshipful Company of Management Consultants 2014