As a Livery Company, Carmen are duty bound to serve the City civic, to support the Lord Mayor and to take a direct interest in the City Corporation and other City institutions.

Carmen vote with other Liverymen to elect the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at Common Hall, which is the name given to the special electorate formed from the senior members of livery companies (Liverymen).

The Carmen are proud of their civic history.

Nine Carmen have served the City as Lord Mayor, two since the 1980s – Sir Christopher Leaver, GBE (Lord Mayor 1981-82) and The Lord Levene of Portsoken, KBE (Lord Mayor 1998-89).

Elected annually each July by the Court of Assistants and Past Masters, our Master Carman is installed in October and serves in this office for one year. The Master Carman’s wife or partner attends livery and other events, representing the Carmen as Consort to the Master. The Master Carman is supported by a Senior Warden and Junior Warden, who also serve one year in office. All are supported by the Court of Assistants and Past Masters who are all elected to office democratically.

Seven Carmen have served as Sheriffs, with three serving as Lay Sheriffs (those who are not sitting Aldermen or Common Councilmen within the Corporation) – Jack Evan Cook, Tony Hart and Jeremy Gotch (Lay Sheriff 1993-94).

The Carmen’s heritage is reflected in the heart of the City.

Carmen were founder members of the City & Guilds of London Institute.

The Company is represented in one of the twelve stained-glass Livery windows in Guildhall’s West Crypt, as well as a window in the church of All Hallows by the Tower and another in Tallow Chandlers’ Hall.

The Carmen are proud to serve the City civic.

Want to know more? Read on for further information on the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation