The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers

What The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers does

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers is one of 110 historic Livery Companies in the City of London, formally constituted in 1569 by the Court of Aldermen to support and regulate the basketmaking trade. Originally a guild of professional basketmakers, the Company has evolved into an inclusive fellowship open to members from all walks of life, organized around four stated pillars: championing the craft of basketmaking (supporting 40+ Yeoman makers across the UK and funding bursaries, exhibitions, and publications), building fellowship through a year-round calendar of formal dinners, basketmaking days, and family events, channeling charitable giving through the separately registered Basketmakers Charitable Trust (Charity No. 1141986), and supporting the civic life of the City of London, including annual participation in the Lord Mayor's Show with its famous willow giants Gog and Magog.

The Company's revenue model has two streams. First, membership comprises admission 'fines' (one-time fees tiered by entry route—Patrimony, Servitude, or Redemption—and member age) plus annual Quarterage subscriptions, with member grades of Freeman and Liveryman. Second, charitable activity is funded by voluntary annual donations from members and third parties via the Charitable Trust, supporting a portfolio of London-based charities (FoodCycle, XLP, Glass Door, GamCare, Magic Breakfast, Crown and Manor Club) at multi-year (typically three-year) commitments, with approximately 50% of trust giving directed to basketmaking trade initiatives. Ancillary revenue comes from a heritage merchandise line (silk ties, brooches, cufflinks, commemorative china and pewter boxes, books, umbrellas) sold via Clerk enquiry.

Underlying technology is minimal: the Company operates an ASAP Livery Management System (LMS) for member login and organizational administration, alongside a content website (basketmakersco.org) and standard social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). The organization is lean, with five employees including Clerk Richard Turner; governance is via elected officers (Prime Warden, Wardens, Court of Assistants) on annual rotation, and operations are coordinated through use of other Livery Halls including Skinners' Hall, Bakers' Hall, Drapers' Hall, Saddlers' Hall, and Mansion House.

Name

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers

Legal name

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers

Website

https://basketmakersco.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers is a 1569-founded City of London Livery Company that promotes basketmaking, runs a member fellowship, and channels charitable giving through a registered Trust.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers is a City of London Livery Company that admits individual members as Freemen and Liverymen through three entry routes (Patrimony, Servitude, Redemption). It sells branded heritage merchandise such as silk ties, bow ties, brooches, cufflinks, commemorative china and pewter boxes, a 450th anniversary history book, and umbrellas, and channels charitable giving through its separately registered Basketmakers Charitable Trust to London communities and the basketmaking trade.

Product overview

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers is a traditional Livery Company offering merchandise items branded with the Company's heraldic symbols and a membership program. The merchandise portfolio includes silk bow ties, ties, silver brooches, cufflinks, lapel badges, commemorative china boxes, pewter snuff boxes, history books, and umbrellas. The membership program offers two levels (Freeman and Liveryman) accessible through three entry routes: Patrimony, Servitude, and Redemption. The Company also maintains a members-only portal (LMS) powered by ASAP software.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Livery Company Membership Two-tier individual membership of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers (Freeman and Liveryman) available through Patrimony, Servitude, or Redemption routes, giving access to the year-round calendar of dinners, basketmaking days, voting at Common Hall, and use of the LMS member portal.
• Basketmakers' Company Bow Tie A ready-tied bow tie in woven silk featuring a basket design, supplied in a presentation box and made in England, sold by the Company to members and supporters.
• Basketmakers' Company Silk Tie Handmade navy-blue silk tie striped with pale blue and pink with silver baskets woven into the fabric intermittently against a basket weave background, sold to members and supporters.
• Basketmakers' Company Brooch Silver brooch featuring the Company basket design with rear-mounted pin and safety catch, supplied in a presentation box.
• Basketmakers' Company Cufflinks Silver cufflinks with enamel Company shield, supplied in a presentation box.
• Basketmakers' Company Tie Pin / Lapel Badge Silver tie pin featuring the Company basket design with a guard end, supplied in a presentation box.
• Basketmakers' Company China Trinket Box Fine bone china trinket box commemorating the Company's 450th Anniversary (2019) featuring the Company arms on the lid, supplied in a fabric-lined presentation box.
• Basketmakers' Company Pewter Snuff Box Pewter snuff box commemorating the Company's 450th Anniversary (2019) featuring the Company's arms on the lid, supplied in a fabric-lined presentation box.
• The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers History Book Hardback history of the Company from its formation in 1569 to 2019, celebrating the 450th Anniversary and sponsored by Past Prime Warden Edward Donaldson in memory of his late wife Mary Jane.
• Basketmakers' Company Umbrella Blue and white golf umbrella with the Company logo, sold to members and supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Charitable Trust provides 50% of charitable support to basketmaking trade initiatives including bursaries, exhibitions, and publications
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RAF ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) Air WingcoreOthers · 1 January 2021During V (AC) Squadron's temporary disbandment, the Company formed a new affiliation with ISTAR Air Wing under Group Captain Chris Melville, based at RAF Waddington. The Air Wing consists of RAF Waddington's flying squadrons, Air Support Wing, Air Engineering Wing, and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance units flying Sentry AEW1, RC-135W Rivet Joint, and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft.
• 8th Battalion The RiflescoreOthers · 1 January 2017The Company has been affiliated with The Rifles since 2017 and is known as part of the Rifles Family. The Rifles was formed from four finest infantry regiments in 2007 with 913 Battle Honours between them. Buglers from the Battalion have attended Company events and participated in ceremonies.
• HMS Richmond (Royal Navy Frigate)coreOthersThe Company is affiliated with HMS Richmond, a Type 23 Duke Class Frigate. Regular contact is maintained by a Court member who receives updates on ship activities and provides news about Company events. Officers from the ship attend Livery Dinners and the Captain joins at Mansion House Banquet. The Company presents an annual award to a nominated ship member for outstanding achievement. Members occasionally have opportunities to visit the ship and spend time at sea.
• Letzi Guild of ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Letzi Guild is the Company's sister guild in Zurich, Switzerland. The affiliation includes participation in the annual Sechseläuten festival where over 3000 guild members parade through Zurich. The Company has attended the festival and hosted reciprocal events. In 2019, 40 members of the Letzi Guild attended the Company's 450th Anniversary Banquet at Mansion House.
• Basketmakers' AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Association promotes basketmaking classes, courses, exhibitions, lectures, and discussions. It awards bursaries for further study and publishes newsletters. The Charitable Trust funds the Association's projects including study course bursaries, exhibitions, seminars, and book publications. The Trust's Walmsley Bursary supports annual in-depth study of the craft by a maker.
• St Margaret Pattens ChurchcoreOthersSt Margaret Pattens is the Guild Church and spiritual home of the Company, founded in 1067 and rebuilt by Wren in 1686-8. The link dates back to the Company's original location in the 15th Century. The church became a Guild Church in 1954. The Company holds its annual Installation Day Service here and a joint Carol Service with the Pattenmakers. The Priest in Charge serves as Honorary Chaplain to the Company.
• Basketmakers' Lodge No. 5639minorOthersA Masonic-style Lodge that meets regularly at Bakers' Hall, Harp Lane, London. Members participate in the Sister City Livery Lodges visiting Scheme. The Lodge welcomes applications for membership as well as visitors.
• No2 Company Army Cadet ForceminorOthersThe Company maintains affiliation with the Army Cadet Force. In April, 75 cadets attended Easter Camp at Napier Barracks in Folkestone focusing on training for one, two and three star cadet awards. Cadets have completed Duke of Edinburgh awards and participated in range days at Hythe and Lydd. A Court Assistant maintains contact providing updates on Company activities.
• Livery Schools LinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLSL promotes support for schools in Greater London by Livery Companies and individual members. The focus is on assisting children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Activities include reading help, interview technique, CV mentoring, and school governor positions. LSL launched a fundraising campaign raising over £118,000 for digital devices for disadvantaged students from 100 individuals, 39 Liveries, and 2 Corporations. The Company is represented by Steve Bowsher.
• FoodCycleminorOthersA London charity that connects communities to reduce loneliness and food poverty using surplus food. The Charitable Trust specifically supports FoodCycle at St Cuthberts Church, Kilburn. Volunteers use surplus ingredients to create meals, promote sustainable food attitudes, and offer weekly telephone check-ins for mental wellbeing support.
• XLPminorOthersXLP helps create positive futures for young people in inner-city London communities who struggle with family breakdown, unemployment, and educational failure. The charity works with thousands of young people annually to help them recognize their potential and set positive goals.
• Glass DoorminorOthersA London-based charity coordinating a network of open-access services for people affected by homelessness. During winter months, Glass Door operates night shelters in Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Wandsworth providing accommodation, meals, and support. Also runs a weekly Women's Group for female guests.
• Crown and Manor ClubminorOthersA youth club for boys and young men aged 7-25, dating back over 100 years, providing a safe haven in North London. Run by full-time manager and fifteen part-time trained staff, the Club provides sporting, educational, and team building facilities in a challenging area experiencing high levels of antisocial behaviour and gang violence.
• GamCareminorOthersA London-based charity offering free telephone, face-to-face, and online help for people struggling with gambling impact. The Charitable Trust supports a specific initiative directed toward problem gambling within the Armed Forces.
• Lord Mayor's AppealminorOthersThe Company supports the Lord Mayor's Appeal, a major annual charitable initiative of the City of London.
• Magic BreakfastminorOthersA charity providing breakfast to schoolchildren, supported by the Charitable Trust.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards: One of London's smaller and more recent Livery Companies, comparable in micro-scale, niche craft origins, and modern fellowship-led operating model to the Basketmakers.
• The Worshipful Company of Turners: Historic Livery Company tied to the wood-turning craft, with a similar craft-promotion mandate, Yeoman-style maker membership, and charitable activities supporting the trade and City of London.
• The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters: Livery Company promoting a heritage textile/knitting craft, with charitable funding for trade bursaries and education. Useful comparable for craft-preservation funding models.
• The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers: Long-established Livery Company with own Livery Hall, charitable trust, and active trade-promotion remit for painters. Comparable governance and operational footprint to a small-to-mid-size Livery Company.
• The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers: City of London Livery Company with a small historic trade base (fanmaking) that has transitioned to a charitable fellowship, comparable in scale and trade-preservation mission to the Basketmakers.
• The Worshipful Company of Curriers: Historic City of London Livery Company tied to the leather-currying trade, comparable structure of charitable giving, livery dinners, and trade support despite originating in a different industry.
• The Worshipful Company of Coopers: One of the oldest London Livery Companies, similarly operating as a membership guild with a historic trade (coopering), charitable trust, and City of London civic participation. Most directly comparable in structure, governance, and purpose to the Basketmakers.
• The Worshipful Company of Glovers: London Livery Company originally regulating the glovemaking trade, now operating as a charitable membership organisation with comparable activities, Lord Mayor's Show participation, and civic engagement.
• The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers: Another historic City of London Livery Company originally tied to the feltmaking trade, now functioning as a charitable fellowship with annual events, livery dinners, and a guild church. Closely mirrors the Basketmakers' trade-to-fellowship evolution.
• The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights: A modern (since 1670s) Livery Company with comparable craft-trade origins, charitable trust, and fellowship structure. Useful comparable for understanding how smaller historic guilds sustain activities today.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/basketmakersco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/worshipful-company-of-basketmakers
• Instagraminstagram.com/basketmakerscompany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers