Chris takes over the position from the outgoing Master, Leigh Dargan, whose year-long tenure in office has now come to an end. Leigh will however continue her service to the company in the role of Deputy Master.

Chris was made Master in a ceremony prior to the Installation Dinner at Brewer’s Hall, a historic venue that has been home to the Brewer’s Company since 1403. The Brewer’s Guild was one of the first to have a home of their own, and Brewer’s Hall has been regularly let out to other Livery Companies and Guilds since 1422.

A highly respected figure within the London licensed taxi trade, Chris has a career that spans more than five decades. His professional journey began in engineering and this strong technical foundation proved invaluable throughout his career in the motor and taxi industries.

Chris joined the London Taxi profession in 1961 with the London General Cab Company and, progressed steadily through the Company gaining extensive experience in vehicle engineering, procurement, warranty administration and operational management. In 1976, he joined Mann and Overton and remained with the company until 1989, when a corporate takeover and subsequent changes in senior management prompted him to seek new opportunities.

Chris then managed a Taxi parts operation for a major fleet organisation before returning to workshop management within the licensed Taxi trade. His reputation for leadership and operational excellence led to him being headhunted to oversee two workshops servicing a fleet of more than 200 vehicles. He then returned to his former employer, initially serving as General Manager before being appointed Managing Director. In 1999, he successfully completed a management buyout of the company, thereby becoming its owner. He remained at the helm until 2016, when he sold the Taxi fleet, bringing to a close an exceptional career as one of the industry’s most experienced operators.

Alongside his management career, Chris qualified in 1972 for the London Suburban Taxi Licence, commonly known as the Yellow Badge, further demonstrating his comprehensive knowledge of the licensed taxi trade.

In 2015 Chris was also made a Freeman of the City of London.

Retirement has enabled Chris to devote more time to voluntary service. He has become actively involved in driving for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and supporting children’s charitable outings, including the renowned Magical Taxi Tour, helping to create memorable experiences for children facing serious illness and their families.

The Worshipful Company of Hackney Carriage Drivers - WCHCD, is the 104th Livery Company of the City of London, having received its grant in 2004 and then its Royal Charter in 2013.

The company has a charitable trust managed by trustees, of which the main event is The Magical Taxi Tour, now in its 32nd year, which sees London Taxis take around 200 children, many of whom are suffering from either debilitating illness or life-limiting conditions, on a three-day trip to Disneyland Paris. This year’s event will take place from 25th-27th September.

The WCHCD also has an educational affiliation with the Royal Docks Academy in Newham, which it is actively involved in helping the school and its students to develop and improve.

There is also a long-established association with the military, and both serving personnel and veterans, which goes back to Private Frederick Hitch, of the 2nd Battalion 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his meritorious bravery at the battle of Rorke’s Drift and who, upon leaving the Army, became a Hackney Carriage Driver and proprietor, first with horse drawn cabs and then the new motorised vehicles.

In continuing to further forge this relationship, the WCHCD last year signed the Armed Forces Covenant, in the hope that this initiative will form the gateway to making the company a conduit for helping military personnel transition to civilian life and find a route into the Taxi trade, be it going through the knowledge to become London Hackney Carriage Drivers, or using skills learned in their military careers such as mechanics and engineering which can then be utilised as a foundation for a future career in the London Taxi profession.

This year will see the new Master attend several Military related events, including both the Battle of Britian dinner at RAF Wittering in Peterborough and The Trafalgar Dinner at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

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