Darren Marston, current Master of the Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners (WCEC), explains why joining the Livery is more relevant than ever for socially conscious 21st century cleaning industry professionals.
Where do Livery companies come from?
A Livery Company sounds like something ancient and mysterious. Ancient probably, mysterious - not really. If you’re a member of one, you’ll understand what that means. If you’re not, you might be thinking that it’s some kind of peculiar organisation with secret handshakes.
However, the story of the Liveries is intrinsically woven with the development of business as we know it today in the City of London and nationwide. Without them, the profile of our powerful, organised industry in the UK probably would not exist.
The first trade associations
Livery Companies began in the 12th century as trade associations formed by skilled craftsmen. Their titles, usually starting with “Worshipful Company”, reflect historic ties to the church, as was commonplace then. We’re known as the ‘Worshipful Company of Environmental Cleaners’, the WCEC, or just the ‘Environmental Cleaners’.
Liveries regulated apprenticeships, ensured members were properly trained, upheld product quality, and protected customers. In short, they promoted excellence and high standards across their trades. Sound familiar?
The term “Livery” refers to the robes worn by members, distinctive to each trade and a form of professional identification. That’s how “Liverymen” got their name. Today, the robes are worn as a nod to tradition.
A body of influence
Liveries still play a key role in City governance. Liverymen help elect the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and have influence with major events in the Square Mile.
In the 17th century, their remit expanded to technical education and business support famously through the City and Guilds of London Institute, founded in 1878. That qualification is still going strong as we know.
There are now 113 liveries in the City. Some, like the Weavers (1155), Fishmongers, and Goldsmiths, date back centuries. Others, like the WCEC (1983), are considered modern liveries. The youngest, the Worshipful Company of Communicators, gained Livery status in 2025.
So why join a Livery today?
Well, if an organisation or concept has remained relevant and productive for centuries, it’s clearly doing something right. But more than that, liveries support their professions and give back to the wider community.
Liveries invest millions in charitable work each year.
In today’s socially conscious world, the liveries’ tradition of charitable giving and trade advocacy is more relevant than ever.
Collectively, they contribute around £40 million annually to charitable causes. Giving back is central to Livery membership. At the WCEC, members contribute to our Charitable Trust, which distributes around 4% of its capital each year to causes that have ranged from the London Air Ambulance and Red Cross to schools, Sea Cadets, military charities, prisoner rehabilitation and even white rhino conservation!
Professional excellence – the Chartered Practitioner’s Register
Granted by the Privy Council to the Environmental Cleaners under Royal Charter, the Chartered Practitioner Register recognises expertise across the global cleaning industry - just like Chartered Accountants or Engineers. Applications are online, and candidates are interviewed and mentored throughout the process, with access to a suite of training from the British Institute of Cleaning Science geared towards Chartership. Support is built in every step of the way. Successful candidates demonstrate strategic vision, broad industry knowledge, and a commitment to professional standards.
Education nurturing the leaders of tomorrow
The WCEC supports scholarships in schools and colleges, like Christ’s Hospital Independent School. We also provide scholarships for City of London’s Girls and Boys’ Schools; and most importantly they are awarded on purely merit. We even sponsor recognition schemes to reward excellence in the Military and Cadet services because they have such an extensive remit in environmental health worldwide.
There’s also charitable giving for organisations that support disadvantaged or disabled children. We support one such special school annually to ensure that their students have access to tools, which helps them with their communication, learning and mobility.
If there’s a WCEC member who would like to engage in further studies, then we try to help them achieve their goals. We also encourage excellence in cleaning education by awarding the Eric Hill Memorial Award to colleges with the highest number of City and Guilds graduates in Cleaning Studies.
In partnership with the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), we fund foundation courses in Environmental Cleaning Management at Northampton University. In 2025, this collaboration expanded to include new training programmes - practically grounded and relevant across diverse cleaning environments. These include License to Practise, Cleaning Professionals Skills Suite, Accredited Trainer Programme, and an Accredited Trainer Package for entire corporate teams. We’re strengthening the Cleaning career path as much as we can.
Camaraderie and fun
Camaraderie is a major draw. Members connect across roles and experience levels, creating a rich support network and sharing expertise. Sheep drives across London Bridge, inter-livery sports, concerts and exhibitions are all part of the fun. There’s also a touch of Livery pomp – elections for the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at Guildhall by the City’s Liverymen; there are Livery Hall dinners and white tie events at Mansion House. Don your robes and join unique, fun gatherings and customs rooted in City history!
Join the Livery on merit
As a modern Livery, the WCEC embraces diversity among members, Masters, and beneficiaries. We’ve had three female Masters and look forward to more. And we certainly welcome younger members, there are no generational boundaries among our professionals.
We’re rooted in tradition but driven by progress. We value talent, commitment, and a strong work ethic. Our world is diverse, and we aim to reflect that in everything we do.
Liveries are not secret societies but they do offer something unique. If you want to give back to your industry and community and support those shaping tomorrow, we might be just the ticket. Along the way, you’ll enrich your professional and personal life.
If you want to find out more about it, visit: https://wc-ec.com/
