Richard Reid appointed 697th Prime Warden of The Goldsmiths’ Company
Richard Reid, Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths' Company, 2024-25. Photography by Alun Callender.
Richard Reid has been appointed 697th Prime Warden (chairperson equivalent) of the Goldsmiths’ Company - a new Prime Warden is elected from the Court of Assistants (board equivalent) every year.
Richard undertook professional vocational training to become an accountant with Dixon Wilson, before moving to Peat Marwick, later KMPG in 1980. He was appointed partner in 1991 and served as Chairman of KPMG London from 2007 until his retirement in 2015.
He is currently on the board of Associated British Foods plc; Deputy Chairman of Berry Bros & Rudd; senior advisor to Bank of China UK; and Chairman of the National Heart & Lung Foundation.
Richard served as Chairman of both the Safer London Foundation and the East London Business Alliance, and helped to set up The City Academy, Hackney. He became a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company in 2009, a Liverymen in 2013, and joined the Court of Assistants in 2018.
Wednesday 15 May 2024 - The Goldsmiths’ Company is delighted to announce that Richard Reid has taken office as Prime Warden, in succession to Charles Mackworth-Young CVO. Former Chairman of KPMG London and the Safer London Foundation, Richard's keen sense of curiosity and desire to understand, motivate and empower those around him have been driving forces throughout his career.
Choosing to take a vocational approach to professional development rather than attend university, Richard undertook training to become an accountant with Dixon Wilson. In 1980 he moved to Peat Marwick ahead of its merger with KMPG, was made partner in 1991, and served as Chairman of KPMG London from 2007 until his retirement in 2015.
Richard’s time at KMPG gave him the opportunity to work with a wide range of interesting people and organisations both internationally and at home, and to put his skills to use in support of the local communities where KMPG London was based.
As part of this outreach, Richard served as Chairman for the Safer London Foundation, which supports young Londoners exposed to exploitation and violence and helps them to unlock their potential; became chairman of the East London Business Alliance, an organisation dedicated to connecting businesses with the local community with a focus on mentoring young people; and was closely involved in the establishment of the City of London Academy, Hackney.
Following his retirement in 2015, Richard has undertaken a variety of professional non-executive commitments, including: being Deputy Chairman of the wine and spirit merchant Berry Bros & Rudd; sitting on the board of Associated British Foods, where he has special responsibility for workforce engagement; the continuation of a long association with the National Heart and Lung Foundation where he is Chairman; and becoming a member of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Court of Assistants.
Richard got to know the Company when it was a client during his early years at KPMG and became a Freeman in 2009, noting that he found the Company’s commitment to supporting the trade and craft, and its wider philanthropic activities through the Goldsmiths’ Company Charity to be particularly impressive. In 2013, he became a Liveryman, going on to join the Court of Assistants in 2018. Members of the Court are elected for the skills, knowledge and experience that they can use in support of the Company. Richard’s vast experience of the world of finance and business management has seen him serve terms on the Assay Office Management Board and the Investment Committee, and as Chairman of the Finance and Risk Committee.
Richard’s priorities for his year as Prime Warden include a focus on transparency, public facing initiatives, building and strengthening relationships with neighbours in the City of London and across the UK, and spending more time with those involved in vocational training – a route he chose to go down himself after leaving school - being of particular importance.
Commenting on his election as Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths’ Company and the year ahead, Richard said: “I hope that the depth and breadth of experience I have gained from working with a wide variety of people, organisations and charities over the last five decades allows me to provide a valuable and lasting contribution to the Company in the year ahead. As someone who benefitted from vocational training, I am very proud of the work that we do to teach skills and nurture creativity through our apprenticeship scheme, which is delivered by The Goldsmiths’ Centre - a hub for training and development of the next generation of goldsmiths, that remains core to our support for the trade and craft – and look forward to spending time with those who will lead our industry into the future. Now, more than ever, it is essential that we demonstrate the significant impact the Company, Assay Office, Charity and Centre make to our trade, our communities and to wider society in the UK and Internationally.”