---
type: Web Page
title: "Vision and Values"
description: "Founded in the 12th century and now under a sixth Royal Charter of 1995: the Saddlers' Company's vision for a thriving UK saddlery trade and how it gives."
resource: "https://thesaddlers.org/about-the-saddlers/vision-and-values"
tags: [saddlers-company, livery-company, city-of-london, about-the-saddlers, vision-and-values]
generated: { by: process:saddlers-site-build, at: 2026-10-20T15:16:16Z }
status: stable
sources:
  - id: page
    resource: "https://thesaddlers.org/about-the-saddlers/vision-and-values"
    title: "Vision and Values | Saddlers' Company"
    author: "team:the-saddlers-company"
---
# Vision and Values

The Worshipful Company of Saddlers is a medieval guild, founded in the 12th century, whose activities today are based on charitable foundations supporting saddlery, equestrianism and education, particularly where these coincide with disability and youth. Under its sixth Royal Charter of 1995, the Company retains its role as a champion of the trade, craft skills and equestrianism.[^page]

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Royal Charter | 1995, 6th Charter |
| Charities Review | 2016 |

## The Company Today

Founded in the 12th century, the Worshipful Company of Saddlers was a medieval guild responsible for the regulation of the saddlery trade, craft and standards in the City of London and more broadly in the United Kingdom. Today, the Company's activities are based on charitable foundations that support and encourage the development of saddlery, equestrianism and education, in particular where they coincide with disability and youth.

Through its sixth Royal Charter of 1995, the Saddlers retains its role as a champion and supporter of the trade, craft skills and equestrianism, delivered through its many affiliations, philanthropic donations and member engagement. An emphasis on training, education and pathways to employment has been maintained for much of the last century.

The Company seeks to maximise the value of its assets for the ultimate benefit of the trade, those in society who genuinely need charitable support, the sustainment of the Company and for its members. From its historic Hall in the City of London, and under the guardianship of a Court, Perpetual Master, Prime Warden, Wardens and Livery, the Saddlers have a mandate to promote, collaborate and coordinate with the UK saddlery trade for the benefit of its long term development and success.

One of the leading livery companies with strong foundations and traditions, the Saddlers seek to be inclusive, diverse and approachable, whilst maintaining and celebrating its heritage and remaining open minded and accepting of the need to innovate. The Saddlers believe in the dignity of all people and their right to respect and equality of opportunity. The Company values the strength that comes with difference, and the positive contribution that diversity brings.

## Long Term Vision

The Worshipful Company of Saddlers' long term vision is that there should be a thriving, prosperous and confident saddlery trade in the United Kingdom. This will be ensured through increased support to research, innovation, skills development and collaboration, as well as dialogue with other key stakeholders, including across other leather related trades. In turn this requires greater engagement with, and support to, all forms of training and educational delivery in leather, including attracting people to available careers, apprenticeships, means tested bursaries and recognition for notable success.

The Company's ambition is to substantially increase the real terms value of the funds it has available to disperse to such causes, achieved through a Financial Strategy that secures the Company's existing assets, builds the capital base and invests for the future. It will seek to grow both the commercial and charitable income of the Company in real terms so that substantially more may be granted to support the trade and the Company's charities. In turn, the Saddlers will need to increase its unrestricted charitable giving in support of the trade.

A 2016 Charities Review set out to refocus the Company's grants on the areas of most relevance to its purpose as an institution, chosen to ensure the greatest positive impact within society and clear public benefit. Looking to the future, the Company's charities will need to pay increased attention to the least fortunate and poorest in society, addressing growing inequality, tensions within communities and a skills deficit.

## Membership

Membership of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers should continue to reflect the interests and purposes of the Company, with a balance between trade, patrimony and equestrian members. Membership at all levels comes with rights and privileges dependent upon an individual's position within the Company, and with membership comes responsibility. Members are expected to engage with the Company at every level to offer support, financial or otherwise, and should put more into the Company than they take out, as trustees of the legacy of their predecessors.

The value and impact of charitable funds should be increased through various forms of engagement with members: a flourishing liaison programme, active committee membership, legacies, annual fundraising events, regular donations and a Saddlers' Association are all means through which the vision might be achieved. Members of the Saddlers are also encouraged to engage with the City of London Civic Community and to consider a representational appointment if it suits their circumstances and ambitions.

The Strategic Vision requires the Company to coordinate, collaborate and communicate with others in order to deliver the outcomes required, demanding strong connections to trade bodies, charities, other livery companies, particularly those involved in leather, and City institutions.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Saddlers' Company's long-term vision?

A thriving, prosperous and confident saddlery trade in the United Kingdom, supported by increased research, innovation, skills development and collaboration across the leather trades.

### What areas does the Company's charitable giving focus on?

Saddlery, equestrianism and education, with particular focus where these coincide with disability and youth, following the 2016 Charities Review.

### What is expected of members of the Company?

Members are expected to engage with the Company at every level, offering support, financial or otherwise, and to put more into the Company than they take out as trustees of its legacy.

## Related concepts

- [About the Saddlers](/pages/about-the-saddlers.md)
- [History of the Saddlers](/pages/about-the-saddlers/history-of-the-saddlers.md)
- [Saddlers Today](/pages/about-the-saddlers/saddlers-today.md)
- [Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy](/pages/policies/dei.md)

[^page]: Vision and Values | Saddlers' Company, https://thesaddlers.org/about-the-saddlers/vision-and-values