Membership types

Most people apply to become either a Freeman or a Liveryman (these ancient terms aren’t gender-specific; both men and women can become Freemen and Liverymen).

A Liveryman is the most senior category of membership – being invited to join the Livery is a privilege and a mark of the Company’s respect and esteem. The Company can have no more than 330 Liverymen at any one time.

Liverymen can participate fully in all Company activities – some events aren’t open to Freemen or other types of member. Liverymen can also take part in ancient civic and ceremonial events in the City of London, such as the Elections of the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs. Liverymen can be nominated to serve on the Company’s Court (Board), potentially progressing to become Master.

A Company’s ‘Livery’ was originally its clothing or uniform. New Liverymen are still clothed with the Livery gown at a special and unique ceremony that takes place in front of the Court. New Liverymen receive a certificate and are introduced to the Company by the Master at the dinner/lunch following their admission ceremony.

We encourage you to express your interest in becoming a Liverymen when you apply. EMAC (the Election and Membership Affairs Committee) will consider your application and the Company’s needs in determining whether to invite you to join the Livery straight away.

In any case, you will first become a Freeman of the Company and take your Freeman’s Declaration. And in order to be clothed as a Liverymen, you’ll need to be granted Freedom of the City of London. If your application for Company membership is approved, we will advise you on how to apply for Freedom of the City.

If you're applying to be a Liveryman or Freeman, you will need to be proposed and seconded by two current members. One of your sponsors will ideally be a member of the Court; if not, a Liveryman of at least five years' standing will suffice.

If you're applying to be be a Liveryman, your other sponsor will need to be a Liveryman too. If you're applying to be a Freeman, your other sponsor could be either a Freeman or a Liveryman.

We normally ask candidates for the Freedom or Livery to attend a Company event before submitting their application.Your Proposer or Seconder should be able to help with this; otherwise, please contact the Clerk.

This is a new category of membership, designed for candidates who don't yet know two members of the Company. Temporary membership lasts a year.

As a Temporary Member, you would be able to attend the same events as a Freeman.

We hope that during this year, you would be able to identify a Proposer and Seconder and make an application for membership as a Freemen or Liveryman of the Company.

A Young Gardener is a member of the Company who at the time of admission is under the age of 40. A Young Gardener should also normally have worked, volunteered, studied or trained in the horticulture sector for at least five years.

If you have successfully completed a Future Gardeners programme, you would be eligible to apply provided you have also worked or volunteered in the horticulture sector for at least two years.

And if you've received an Award from the Company, you would also be eligible to apply provided you have also worked or volunteered in the horticulture sector for at least two years.

The Young Gardeners are developing their own programme of events. They can also attend other visits, lectures and formal functions organised by the Company.

Becoming a Young Gardener is an opportunity to develop your peer network and build links with more established practitioners from across the horticulture industry.

You will need two current members of the Company to support your application as Proposer and Seconder. One of your sponsors will ideally be a member of the Court; if not, a Liveryman of at least five years' standing will suffice. Your other sponsor could be a current Young Gardener, a Freeman, or a Liveryman.