The company is the  City's second oldest recorded trade guild, being first mentioned in the 'Pipe-Rolls' of Henry II in 1155. Often blamed for the Great Fire of London, in which it lost its Hall, the Company has been in residence at Harp Lane since  1506. Its modern rasison d'etre is its link to support the baking industry, particularly at the grassroots level of bakery education

The Butchers’ Company can trace its history as far back as 975 AD when, in the Ward of Farringdon Without, a Butchers’ Hall existed. Today, the Company is a vibrant organisation supporting an active trade by way of training, education and charitable work. Almost all its members are involved in the meat industry and thus share a common value in good fellowship.

The Worshipful Company of Farmers is the City of London Livery Company dedicated to the positive promotion, better understanding, visibility, management and development of UK agriculture. Its principal charitable purpose is agricultural education, delivered through its portfolio of highly respected courses and the provision of training, grants, bursaries and educational awards to inspire, drive and recognise excellence.

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Receiving its first Royal Charter in 1482, the Cooks’ Company supports apprentice chefs training at Westminster Kingsway College and sponsors catering competitions across the industry and in the armed services. It also funds major charitable projects related to education and catering, through the ‘Adopt a Chef’ programme for schools and by making grants to charities such as Crisis UK, The Clink and the Treloar Trust

Founded by Royal Charter in 1638, the Worshipful Company of Distillers was established to regulate the distilling trade in the Cities of London and Westminster. Today it is a vibrant, predominantly trade-related Company with an active livery of around 400 members, including Corporate Sponsored Freemen. It runs mentoring and educational programmes focused on the spirits industry, and its Distillers One of One Auction has raised over £6.6 million for charity since 2021.

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Over the 700 years of its history, the Company has assumed different roles. Today the Company promotes excellence across all sectors of the fruit industry, as well as supporting education and research. It is active in raising funds and giving to charity. Half of its members are involved in the fresh produce industry.

Founded in 1272, the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers has long upheld standards in the sale of fish. From Fishmongers’ Hall on the River Thames, it champions the sustainable management of the marine environment to support the prosperity of the fishing industry. Its programmes span oceans, rivers and aquaculture, fund scientific research, and promote seafood through Discover Seafood and the Fish in School Hero programme.

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The Poulters’ Company, in common with other livery companies, was founded in the Middle Ages to control the provision of services and the manufacture and the selling of goods and food. The Company’s charitable role is increasing and it is active in promoting research and education in the trade through its charitable trusts, with a strong nucleus of members from the various branches of the poultry industry.