The Court
The Guild’s governing body sets direction, oversees its affairs and meets on formal Court dates throughout the year.
Who we are
A fellowship shaped by education, the City and service.
The Guild of Mercers’ Scholars brings together former pupils and associates of the Mercers’ family of schools, connecting generations through friendship and civic life.
Introduction
A modern Guild with historic roots
Founded in 1948, the Guild grew from a shared connection to Mercers’ School. Today our community reaches across the wider family of Mercers-associated schools and welcomes people at every stage of their journey into the traditions of the City of London.
We are volunteer-led and independent, while enjoying a close relationship with the Mercers’ Company. Members meet socially, support one another and take an active interest in the life of the City and its Livery Companies.
Aims and objectives
Connecting education, citizenship and City life
- 01To bring together former members of the Mercers’ cluster of schools, colleges and academies who have an interest in the City of London, its customs, ceremonies and traditions to become Freemen of the City.
- 02To enable young people from Mercers’ cluster of schools to become Freemen of the City of London through the Apprentice scheme.
- 03To assist members to become members of a City Livery Companies of their choice.
- 04To foster a sense of good citizenship by service to the Guild, to one’s own Livery Company and to the Corporation of the City of London.
- 05To support educational activities, both by the organisation of events and through grants to Guildmen and Apprentices from the Guild’s own Charitable Trust.
Organisation and structure
How the Guild is organised
Shared responsibility keeps the Guild connected to its members, schools and the wider civic community.
Officers
The Master, Clerk and Wardens lead the Guild, supported by other officers with defined responsibilities.
Committees
Committees undertake detailed work in areas such as membership, events, finance and charitable activity.
School representatives
Representatives maintain active links with the Mercers’ family of schools and help introduce future members.
Members and Apprentices
Guildmen, Guildwomen and Apprentices participate in events, civic life, fellowship and service.
At a glance
How the Guild works together
The Court provides governance, officers lead the Guild, and school and membership roles support members throughout their journey.
AdministrationClerkSupports the Court, officers and ceremonies
Annual leadershipMasterChairs the Court and leads the Guild
ExperiencePast MastersAdvise and support the Guild
SuccessionRenter WardenChairs the Membership Committee
SuccessionJunior WardenSupports the Renter Warden and Master
GovernanceCourt and OfficersOversee the Guild’s work and responsibilities
MentoringApprentice MastersGuide Apprentices through the four-year journey
SchoolsSCAs and SLOsIdentify, nominate and support candidates
MembershipMembership CommitteeCoordinates applications and admissions
Guild communityGuild members and ApprenticesTake part in fellowship, service and City life
Current officers
Master and Wardens
Officer details are drawn from the Guild’s current member roles so that this page stays up to date.
Master
William Jackson
Over the past decade, William has held several senior roles in major naval design and build programmes, spanning frigates and submarines across the UK maritime defence sector.
An alumnus of Peter Symonds College, he went on to read Physics at the University of Warwick. Outside of work, he is a keen renovator of houses and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Constructors.
As Master-Elect, his priority is to build on the Guild’s strong foundations by deepening its ties with its cluster schools and the wider City, expanding the opportunities available to members, and ensuring apprentices make the most of their unique journey towards the Freedom of the City of London.
Renter Warden
Edward Le Good
Ed joined the Guild as an Apprentice in 2014 after studying at Peter
Symonds College. Following admission as a Freeman, Ed joined the
Court as Deputy Treasurer in 2019 and became Honorary
Treasurer in 2023. Ed studied Economics at Lancaster University
before joining HaysMac, where he qualified as a Chartered
Accountant (ACA). He is now a Senior Manager in the Property
team. Ed is also a Liveryman of the Chartered Accountants’
Company and serves on the Livery Committee.
Junior Warden
Jonty Yin
Jonty is in the first year of his PhD in Law at the University of Cambridge exploring the principles and application of injunctions in commercial law. A St Paul’s School alumnus, he read Law at Cambridge (Downing College) and University College London. Jonty joined the Guild as an apprentice in 2019 and has served as a court assistant (2024) and head of events (2025-2026). Outside of the Guild, he is a European bronze medallist in ITF Taekwon-do.
Clerk
Grace Abba
Grace was appointed Clerk to the Guild at the Lady Day Court 2025. Originally from Italy, she has made her home in the UK for the past decade and brings a background in executive and administrative support. She is also involved more widely in livery life across the City.
As Clerk, Grace looks after the Guild’s day to day running, including Courts, governance, membership and communications. Her focus is on keeping the Guild running smoothly, so the Master and Court can concentrate on building links with the cluster schools and the wider City.
Treasurer
Rachel Aram
Social Court Assistant
Tyra Gunnarsson
Our story