Election of Master and Wardens 2024-2025
MASTER CARPENTER – Dr LOYD GROSSMAN
Dr Loyd Grossman was born in Boston in 1950. Having graduated from Boston University (BA), he moved to England in order to attend the London School of Economics (MSc Econ). Subsequently he gained an MPhil and PhD in the History of Art from Magdalene College, Cambridge.
Whilst an undergraduate in London, he began writing for various music publications, including Rolling Stone. After starting a full-time career in journalism with Harpers & Queen and the Sunday Times, he was diverted into television where as a writer, presenter or deviser he was involved in a wide range of programmes, including MasterChef, Through the Keyhole, Behind the Headlines, History of British Sculpture, Loyd on Location and Build Britain. He also wrote and presented a series, Composers at Home, for Radio 3.
Loyd’s knowledge of and fascination with food led him to create his own brand in 1995, which became Britain’s most successful new premium food brand.
His lifelong interest in history, the arts and heritage has involved him in a number of organisations. He is a former Commissioner of the Museums and Galleries Commission, a former Commissioner of English Heritage (where he was Chairman of the Museums Advisory Committee and the Blue Plaques Panel), a former Commissioner of the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, a founding member of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, a past member of the Board of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, a former Governor of Compton Verney, a past Member of the Council of the British School at Rome, past Chairman of National Museums Liverpool and of the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, past Deputy Chairman of Liverpool European Capital of Culture and past President of the British Association of Friends of Museums.
Loyd was Chairman of The Royal Parks from 2016-2024, Chairman of Gresham College from 2019-2024, Chairman of the Heritage Alliance from 2009-2018, Chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust from 2007-2016, Chairman of the University for the Creative Arts from 2008-2012, Deputy Chairman of The Royal Drawing School from 2014-2017, a Governor of The British Institute of Florence and a member of the Court of Governors of the LSE from 1996-2009, and is now an Emeritus Governor of the LSE. He is the Chair elect of the Royal Society of Arts.
Loyd is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars, an Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. Loyd was appointed OBE in 2003. He has honorary doctorates from the Universities of Chester, Lincoln and Essex for his work in cultural heritage and tourism. In June 2015 he was appointed CBE in recognition of his services to heritage. Loyd is a keen guitarist and he and his band – The New Forbidden – made their eighth appearance at Glastonbury in June 2019. Apart from music, his hobbies include country pursuits, racket sports, boxing and the care and maintenance of four wirehaired Dachshunds. He is married to the writer and actress Melissa Knatchbull with whom he shares three daughters.
The Wardens for this year are Mr Lawrence Mallinson, Senior Warden; Mr James Preston, Middle Warden and Vice Admiral Paul Bennett CB OBE RN, Junior Warden. The Clerk is Brigadier Tim Gregson MBE.
