A group of plumbers and electricians have been honoured by City of London livery companies that have represented tradesmen in England since the Middle Ages.
The historic city of London Livery companies for carpenters, plumbers, joiners and ceilers and lightmongers have for the first time joined forces to award certificates in a unique ceremony.

Certificates were presented by city of London sheriff Peter Cook in the hall of the Carpenters’ company in Throgmorton Avenue in the city of London.

The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) in partnership with City & Guilds and the Worshipful company of Plumbers, awarded nine certificates in the categories of Apprentice, Journeyman and Master Plumber.

Master Plumber certificates were awarded to: David Lambert, Mark Joseph and John Verrall. Journeyman Plumber certificates were awarded to: Bradley Ellis, Daniel Harris and Michael Hitches. Apprentice Plumber certificates were awarded to: Jamie Cade, Lee Cripps and Luke Stockwell.

Kevin Wellman, operations director for the CIPHE: “We are delighted to be able to present the new apprentice and journeyman certificates to those who have chosen a career in plumbing. One of the main functions of our Institute is to drive up standards and encourage continuing professional development, and these young men and women will help lead the way for tomorrow’s plumbing and heating professionals.”

Sheriff Peter Cook said: “We have been adapting for well over 600 years to ensure that we are up to date and include new technical developments so that we are relevant to the times we operate in. A Master Carpenter in the 14th century could never have envisaged such concepts of electricity and being part of a movement that included Lightmongers. But here we are today working together, the long established company and the relatively newly established company.

“Although so much has changed in the intervening 660 years, the requirement for the Trade Livery Companies to take an active part in the maintenance of standards in their craft is as important today as it has ever been.” The CIPHE has a membership of around 12,000 of which over 9,000 are entered onto the registers.