Robert Flather has been installed as Master of the Stationers’ Company, though without a Hall to preside over during extensive renovations. Instead the ceremony took place at Goldsmiths’ Hall, the first of many events that will be held away from the organisation’s home.
“We have become peripatetic as a Company since the start of the pandemic,” he says. “And we have not been able to meet together. Instead we will be holding events at other Halls and via Zoom meetings.”
He also plans to spread the word about Stationers’ beyond the capital. “We have members that are not London centric,” he continues. ”And who can find it harder to get to the Hall.” And as a Sheffield born Yorkshireman, he will be participating in the printing industry’s Yorkshire Day activities on 1 August. “There will be quite a few printers there that are members as well as many that are not.”
It will be about encouraging printers to join the livery company. “The number of printers in the Company has been in decline in recent years, but so has the industry. Those that are members find the networking opportunities are invaluable. It helps them understand too much more about the industry from attending events, about customers and suppliers. And if you have a better understanding of the industries, you can make better decisions.”
Flather will be one of the few Masters in recent years to continue working during his year of office, though will step up to become chairman of Kolbus Autobox, allowing Greg Bird to become managing director of the box making equipment producer.
He succeeds the Rt Rev Dr Stephen Platten, former Bishop of Wakefield, as Master. In Dr Platten’s term the Vision 350 plan to refurbish the Hall got underway. This is running some weeks behind schedule after the discovery of asbestos, removed from the building during post war renovations, but not from the premises. The work has also uncovered the foundations of Abergavenny House which stood on the site until the Great Fire, complete with soot from that event and a number of highly decorated medieval floor tiles.
