Livery companies may conjure up images of robes, formal dinners and the age-old tradition of driving sheep over the River Thames, but charitable fundraising, networking opportunities and social activities are a huge part of the proposition.

Chartered accountant Helen Pierpoint first stumbled across a livery company when she was in her early 20s in her professional capacity working on the audit for one of the City of London’s 113 livery companies. Back then, she knew very little about them but had preconceptions of them being rather stuffy and old-fashioned societies, with little to offer her as a young woman in the profession.

Those myths were soon to be shattered. “It was one of the most interesting audits I’d ever done,” Pierpoint says. “I learned about what livery companies actually do, their charitable and educational activities, their long and fascinating history and why they continue to be so important in the City of London.”

In addition to representing their various trades and professions, livery companies support the promotion of the City of London as a place of business and play a significant role in its governance.

It would be several years later before Pierpoint’s livery company journey would properly begin. By this time, Pierpoint is working for ICAEW as a technical manager in the Audit and Assurance Faculty based at Chartered Accountants Hall in Moorgate and surrounded by livery halls.

One the Faculty’s board members David Chitty - International Audit Director at Crowe Global - was a member of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, the livery company for members of ICAEW. His enthusiasm piqued Pierpoint’s interest, a visit was arranged and following a simple application process and a very informal interview, Pierpoint became a Freeman.

Networking while helping good causes

Pierpoint is very proud of the charitable work the Company does. Between them, the livery companies of the City of London donate more than £75m a year to charities. The Chartered Accountants Company alone raises around £200,000 annually for good causes.

At the same time, members are encouraged to donate their time by volunteering at the various charities the Company supports. Education, food poverty and helping people rebuild their lives are a particular focus.

But it’s access to an incredibly supportive network of people at all stages of their careers that has proved one of the biggest perks of membership, Pierpoint says. “As a relatively young woman, I’ve always felt completely comfortable and welcome. I've met some fascinating people that I would never have met if it weren't for the Company. There are several events, activities, and formal dinners you can get involved in, and each time you meet new people.

“I invited my sister who’s studying for her ACA as a guest to one of these dinners. Everyone was so warm and friendly towards her, like they'd been with me. It's a social leveller. You get really senior people who’ve been in the game for decades breaking bread with people who are new to the profession, chatting and socialising and getting to know one another. I think that's pretty fantastic. I know members who've made friends for life through membership.”

But it's not just formal dinners, Pierpoint says. “There are a huge amount of networking opportunities, some of which are very much geared towards younger members or members who have busy schedules. You can go for an after-work drink, join a walking tour of the city, get involved in sporting activities or just grab a quick coffee with a fellow member - you name it.” Members are also encouraged to instigate activities of their own.

Although many of the Company’s in-person activities are in London, virtual events including lectures, virtual social meetings and coffee breaks make it easy for all ICAEW members to participate.

Flexible support for you

There’s no expected time commitment, but you get out of the Company what you put into it, Pierpoint says. “You’re not forced to do anything but it's always nice to know I've got a group of people I can come back to at any time in my career, and that's what's so attractive about the Company, that there is always support there, I think that's quite lovely.”

Currently a Freeman, Pierpoint is looking forward to progressing to becoming a Liveryman, a path typically available to Freemen after two or three years of active membership, and the opportunity to participate in a ceremony and wear the beautiful maroon Livery uniform. Interestingly, the Chartered Accountants Company is the only company where Liverymen are allowed to wear their uniform at formal events.

Another rather eccentric tradition is the annual sheep drive across the Thames, celebrating a Freeman of the City of London’s ancient “right” to bring sheep to market over the river, toll free. “They're part of what make these companies special, that sense of community, that sense that you're taking part in something historical and reminding people that this is the way things used to be. But it’s also just good fun,” says Pierpoint.

“It's amazing to me that some of these livery companies were founded 1,000 years ago and they're still going now, largely because they've evolved so they continue to be relevant.”

Their continual evolution means there’s never been a better time for women of all ages to get involved. Although women make up just 14% of members at the moment, the gender split is improving as a growing number of ladies join. The Company’s Senior Warden, Sally Orton, is a NED for Virgin Money, Clydesdale Bank and Nationwide Building Society.

This year's International Women's Day theme ‘balancing the scales’ is about creating opportunities that are accessible to all. With this in mind Pierpoint’s message to young female chartered accountants, whose interest may have been piqued is to have an open mind, get in touch with existing members and hear first-hand about their experiences.

“It's frustrating to me that there's so much that the livery companies do that's so unsung and not known about. I want to help educate people about what goes on behind those big wooden doors in the City of London, destroy those misconceptions, and invite people to find out for themselves.”