WCIT MONITOR Issue 67 Feb 2016
Issue 67: Feb 2016
MONITOR
the newsletter of The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
MASTER’S LETTER
T
hree months since my first letter and much happening in this most
vibrant and active of livery companies.
I have stressed our wish to give our members, particularly our newer
ones, an early chance to shine. The New Freemen's Dinner introduces those
who became Freemen in the last twelve months to the traditions you will
encounter at City functions. This is a busy evening for the Master, who
definitely has to speak for his supper and I was very grateful to Past Master
David Morriss, whose fine demonstration of the Sung Grace meant that I did
not also have to sing for my supper! My fellow Alderman Vincent Keaveny
was struck by the fun and enjoyable way we introduce this side of the City
and I was most impressed by Michelle Gurney's speech, in which she gave a
clear view of the benefits of being an active member of the Company. At the
Stirrup Cup it was humbling to speak to so many of you about the work of the
Company - much of which is reported in these pages, but there is always
more going on.
©Sharp Photography
We continue to look at sensible new projects. Before Christmas I went with
several other members to meet The Society of Merchant Venturers of Bristol
to discuss possible collaborations; they run a number of schools in the area.
If you have links there, please speak to the Clerk, who can tell you more.
The Master, Alderman Sir David Wootton
Inside this issue:
Master’s Letter
1
News Feature:
Online Safety
2
A Journeyman’s Story 4
2016 New
Freemen’s Dinner
6-7
WCIT Charity &
Panels News
8-9
WCIT History:
Reminiscences
Series - No. 3
10
Clerk’s Letter
12
We continue recent innovations and recently I joined Alderman and Sheriff
Charles Bowman; the Master Educator, our own Past Master John Leighfield;
Past Master Jo Connell OBE and Junior Warden Dr Stefan Fafinski in judging the 2016 WCIT
Information Technology University Awards – entries were of a very high standard and it was a
difficult decision to pick the winner that will be announced at the February Business Lunch.
We have held many of our own events over the past quarter; the November Business Lunch, with
new Liveryman Jane Moran, CIO of Unilever, who spoke very eloquently of the challenges
businesses face now in engaging their employees and providing the working environment they
want, much to think about during and after lunch, thankyou Jane. I hosted an evening at Bangers,
our informal and friendly get-togethers of longstanding members, new members and those we
hope will join us. Bangers is held every first Thursday of every month, do come along. Our Carol
Service in December featured my son reading a lesson and my grandson meeting Father
Christmas, the church service is an excellent way of getting in the Christmas mood and I strongly
suggest you put the date in your diary for this year! I also very much enjoyed the Government
Panel Dinner, which showed that our Panels have real strength in depth in their sectors.
I have been doing my stuff representing the Company out and about: the Plaisterers' Masters'
and Clerks' Dinner, the Insurers' Company Lunch, the (Haberdashers') Aske's Lecture, our own
Masters' and Clerks' Dinner - plus many more!
And helping to run the Company- one Court meeting and three Finance and General Purposes
Committees (F&GP) meetings so far…
The Master's life illustrates the diversity and vibrancy of what and who we are and what we do:
it's an honour and a pleasure.