We are committed to inclusivity and our membership categories encourage people to apply from all areas of the Transport and Logistics industry. The Company’s renowned welcome and fellowship extends equally to all, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or other factors.
Our four membership categories are described in the following paragraphs.
CARMAN APPRENTICE
Carman Apprentices (not to be confused with industry / military apprenticeships) are young individuals between the ages of 14 and 21, sponsored by an existing Freeman or Liveryman. Their nominated Apprentice Master, who will be be a Freeman or Liveryman, will provide mentorship.
Successful applicants are “bound in servitude to their Apprentice Master” and presented to the Master, Wardens and Court of Assistants at a Court Meeting. After this Ceremony, the Court will join new Apprentices and their guests for some refreshments. Many new Apprentices then continue their celebrations by attending the luncheon or dinner which follows, as a guest of their Apprentice Master.
Apprentices must serve at least four years in that grade and if desired, they may progress to become an Associate Freeman or Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Carmen by servitude.
ASSOCIATE FREEMAN
This category is aimed at individuals aged up to and including 35 years of age, thus specific to individuals during the early stages of their employment career. No Fines (i.e. Joining Fees) are payable.
FREEMAN
Successful applicants to become a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Carmen will be invited to attend a capping ceremony (normally in person, or by Zoom if unable to attend in person). Here they will meet the Master to be formally accepted as a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Carmen. Freemen may then apply to attend events open to them and enjoy the fellowship, support and networking this enables, whilst offering their own skills and talents for the benefit of others.
If desired, progression from here would be to become a Liveryman, subject to first obtaining Freedom of The City of London (the Clerk will assist you in this). For more information click here.
LIVERYMAN
Applicants for Liveryman status, will already be Freemen of the Company, having attended a capping ceremony and having received their Freedom of the City of London. Members in this category will be invited to participate in the joining and welcoming ceremony, which takes place during a Court meeting.
At this ceremony, new members are welcomed and formally presented to the Master, the Wardens, and the Court of Assistants. New members are then invited to make their pledge to The King, to The Worshipful Company of Carmen, and to the City of London, and will then to be clothed in the Livery (a gown with a ribbon which signifies the formal joining). They will also receive their warrants of membership.
After the ceremony, the Court will join new members and their guests for refreshments. Many new members then continue their celebrations by attending the luncheon, or dinner, which follows, often in a unique setting.
Liverymen can apply to serve on the Company’s panels and committees where they may add expertise or which are of particular interest to them. In the first instance they should apply through the Clerk.
Liverymen are eligible and encouraged to vote for the Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor as part of their civic duty.
Eligibility for election to the Court of Assistants comes after three years as a Liveryman; votes being cast democratically by fellow Freemen and Liverymen.
Liverymen and Freemen of the Company experience lifelong fellowship, are generous in charitable giving, and participate enthusiastically in the life of the Livery. They welcome the opportunity to serve the City of London Corporation, and the wider community, and enjoy the privilege of association with those who serve King and country.
Application Process
To join the Company:
- A candidate can apply directly to the Company having completed the online application form (click here)
- A sponsor (i.e. current Liveryman or Freeman) can apply on behalf of the candidate.
In either case the applicant has to complete the online application form (click here) or complete a proforma which might be available at certain events.
The application form must be signed by two proposers (or one for Associate Freeman). If the candidate does not know any current members, they should contact the Clerk to discuss the way ahead.
Do not provide more information than that requested on the application form..
The application form will be acknowledged by the Clerk or a member of the Membership Committee and the applicant, and possibly the sponsor, will be invited to attend an informal meeting, either in person or remotely, with the Membership Committee in a relaxed atmosphere. The meeting will cover knowledge of the Company and the City of London, reasons for wanting to join, how the candidate views their personal involvement with the Company, any charity or voluntary work with which the candidate is involved. The Committee will be able to answer any queries that the candidate might have.
Family of existing members do not normally need to be interviewed; however, a one page CV is requested along with the application form to give the Membership Committee some background.
Subject to the satisfactory recommendation by the Membership Committee, the candidate’s application will be progressed.
The Clerk will invite the candidate to attend Carmen’s Hall to receive the Company Freedom at a mutually convenient date and time. This ceremony takes about 20 minutes and involves the reading of a declaration and payment of the Freedom (joining) fee where applicable
Successful candidates will be invited to make voluntary donations to the Carmen Benevolent Trust and the Carmen Heritage Trust.
Where it is impractical to attend in person, this ceremony can be conducted remotely.
On completion of this ceremony, candidates become members of the Company.
Contact the Clerk to discuss your route to membership by telephone on: 020 7645 1405 or by email: clerk@thecarmen.co.uk
Membership Fees
Becoming part of over 500 years of history and helping others in the Transport industry doesn’t have to be that expensive. A number of options are available. This section will show the different costs in relation to becoming a member of the Carmen. Some old English is used – after all we are an old company!
• When we say ‘Quarterage’ in the modern day this means annual cost.
• When we say ‘Fine’ we mean a one-off charge.
• Additionally we do offer some discounts.
Associate Freeman Quarterage (Annual fee and no fines are payable)
| Available to | Quarterage  |
Special rate Quarterage |
|---|---|---|
| Students and Apprentices |
£24.00 | £18.00 |
| Starting Career |
£36.00 | £27.00 |
| Junior Career |
£72.00 | £54.00 |
| Intermediate Career |
£120.00 | £90.00 |
Freeman Fines and Quarterage
| Category | Fine | Quarterage |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | £230.00 | £230.00 |
| Special Rate for Past Award Winners |
£172.50 | £172.50 |
| Spouse/Long Term Partner Member |
n/a | £120 |
Liveryman Fines and Quarterage
| Category | Fine | Quarterage |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | £840.00 | £410.00 |
| Special Rate for Past Award Winners (-25%) | £630.00 | £307.50 |
| Spouse/Long Term Partner Member |
n/a | £390.00 |
| Upgrade to Liveryman |
£20.00 | £210.00 |
Each grade of membership offers different entitlements, shown in the table below:
| Membership Entitlements | Liveryman | Freeman | Associate Freeman | Carmen Apprentice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voting at Court elections | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Attendance at Company functions including Court events | Yes | Conditional |
Conditional . |
Conditional |
| Attendance at non-Court events | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Attendance at The Mansion House Banquet | Yes | Conditional |
As members, no | Conditional |
| Named in the Company membership listing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access to Members area on the Company website | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Receive all Company circulations | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can nominate new members of the Court | Yes | No | No | No |