The Livery Movement
The livery movement is the collective term for London's 114 livery companies, ancient and modern trade associations and guilds that trace their origins to the 12th century and today combine charitable, educational and civic roles with their historic trades.
A Movement Built on Trade and Training
Guilds arose as craftsmen who shared trades formed merchant associations to regulate quality and standards, with great emphasis on the thorough training of apprentices. The number of guilds grew rapidly until the 14th century, and in 1515 an order of precedence was established covering the 48 existing liveries, which had by then received royal charters.
From the 1870s onwards, the livery companies shifted focus towards education, exemplified by their role in establishing the City and Guilds Institute in 1878. There are 114 liveries today, sharing the values of trade, education, charity and fellowship, and in 2024 the livery companies together gave £81 million to charitable causes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the livery movement?+
The collective term for London's livery companies, ancient trade guilds that today number 114 and combine charitable, educational and civic roles.
How much do livery companies give to charity?+
The livery companies gave a combined £81 million to charity in 2024, according to the Livery Committee's Livery Impact Report 2025.
