The Haberdashers' Deputation saw 20 delegates of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers visit in October 2023. The Company takes a great deal of interest in their nineteen schools, visiting every school in the family annually. The day started with a tour of Longford. The deputation then came on site and attended House assemblies and presented King James bibles to the Upper Sixth. They enjoyed a musical soiree in Hamilton Hall, took part in a careers session with the Lower Sixth and Q&A sessions with both the SLT and the Front Bench.
Old Novaportans
This year’s deputation included two ONs. Joe Sullivan (Class of 2020), who boarded during his seven years at Adams, has just completed a law degree at the University of Cambridge and is soon to start at a law firm in London. He is serving his apprenticeship with the Company while Michael Wallbank (Class of 2012) is now a Member of the Freedom with the Company.
We were also delighted to host Professor Dame Jane Glover and Mr Richard Glover whose father was Headmaster of Haberdashers’ Adams from 1953 to 1973. Robert Glover’s six years as head of Adams was one of expansion, with the school growing in size, acquiring more boarding accommodation and building the gymnasium, swimming pool and new science block. During his tenure, O Levels and A Levels were introduced, the CCF contingent was formed, in 1955, and the school’s tercentenary was celebrated, in 1956. The writing out of Bill’s Will as a punishment also came in under his watch! Bill’s Will is the list of William Adam’s benefactions inscribed on wooden boards and displayed in the Big School Library.
Mr Richard Glover spent 15 years in industrial relations and HR management roles in the 1970s and 1980s and since 1990 has been involved in two private equity backed businesses in the service sector. He also holds a number of non-executive director positions in the service sector and has been extensively involved with the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and is a Past Master of the Hall.
Professor Dame Jane Glover is a renowned conductor who has conducted all the major symphony and chamber orchestras in Britain, as well as orchestras in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Australia. She holds a Professorship at the University of London, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Music, an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music, and the holder of several honorary degrees. In 2020 she was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Gamechanger Award for her work in breaking new ground for other female conductors.
It was an absolute honour, if nerve wracking experience, for those selected to perform in front of this year’s deputation!
