On Thursday 14th April PML Sales Director Nick Finbow was officially awarded the Freedom of the City of London. The official event to confer the status is one of the oldest surviving traditional ceremonies that dates back to 1237, which originally referred to a right to trade in the square mile.
At the Chamberlain’s Court at Guildhall in London Sales Director, Nick Finbow participated in the historic ceremony where he accepted the declaration and title of Freeman of the City of London. The ceremony began with the Beadle welcoming Nick into the building and explaining the details of the upcoming ceremony. He was then taken to see the original Declaration of the Freeman before being escorted to the official chamber and presented to the Freeman of the City of London Clerk of the Court. Nick was required to swear allegiance to the Queen and the City, reading the ‘Declaration of a Freeman’ and becoming indoctrinated as a Freeman of the City of London by signing the Freeman’s Declaration Book.
Nick was provided with The Copy of the Freedom – a parchment document with his name inscribed by a calligrapher – it was presented by the Clerk, together with a copy of the ‘Rules for the Conduct of Life’ which date from the mid-18th century.
By becoming a Freeman of the City of London Nick follows in the footsteps of many high-profile personalities including Sir Winston Churchill, Professor Stephen Hawkins, Nelson Mandela, The Duke of Wellington, Florence Nightingale, JK Rowling and Tim Peake.
Nick was admitted to the Freedom following a nomination by the Worshipful Company of Butchers – the oldest of the 110 City of London Livery Companies – who have invited Nick to become a Liveryman. The Admission (or Clothing) will take place on 6th May 2022.
