The Court and Committees
In accordance with the Charter of Charles I, the Brewers’ Company is Governed by a Court (board) made up of the Master, the Upper, Middle and Renter Wardens and up to 28 Assistants. Court Assistants are appointed from the Livery by the Master and Wardens.
The Master is elected and installed annually at the Court meeting which takes place in July. Also elected and installed at this meeting are the Upper, Middle and Renter Wardens. Under normal circumstances, an individual elected as Renter Warden will progress through the ranks of Middle and Upper Warden, before becoming Master after three years.
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The Master 2025-26
Mr Fergus McMullen DL
Fergus McMullen was educated at Harrow School and The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. After working in London for three years in the property market he joined his family business McMullen & Sons Ltd in 1984. The brewery was founded by Peter McMullen in 1827 and Fergus is from the 6th generation to work in the company. Fergus had a variety of roles with the brewery and pubs before recently stepping back after 40 years to become a Non-Executive Director.
Outside of work, Fergus was chairman of the Hertfordshire Community Liaison Group and sat on the Hertfordshire Criminal Justice Board for 10 years. He was also chair of the Out of Court Scrutiny panel for Hertfordshire. He has been chairman of various charities dealing with the homeless, hospice care, addiction, and domestic abuse.
Fergus was High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and President of the Hertfordshire County Show in 2013/14 and is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.
Fergus is married to Kate and has 5 children and 8 grandchildren.
Upper Warden 2025-26
Mr Stephen Gould, Everards Brewery
Middle Warden 2025-26
Mr Torquil Sligo-Young, Young's
Renter Warden 2025-26
Ms Victoria Segebarth, Asahi
Court 2025-26
Court Assistants include representatives from the Company's member breweries, as well as the Chairs of the Company's permanent committees and representatives from the governing bodies of its schools.
Staff
There are four full time members of staff at Brewers’ Hall and a part-time Archivist. The Clerk is the Chief Executive and reports to the Master and Wardens and the Court. He is supported by the Finance Director/Deputy Clerk whose main responsibility is overseeing the finances of the Company and its foundations and trusts. The Livery Manager is responsible for administrative support for the Company and its charities, as well as supporting the membership. The Beadle is responsible for the management of the Hall and the running of all functions within the Hall.