Installation of the new Master Cutler - Mr Philip Rodrigo

THE COMPANY OF CUTLERS IN HALLAMSHIRE is pleased to announce the successful installation of the 385th Master Cutler, Mr Phil Rodrigo which took place on Tuesday 1st October 2024.

The installation ceremony began at Cutlers’ Hall, where the Immediate Past Master, Mr Charles Turner MBE DL , formally installed the new Master Cutler, Mr Philip Rodrigo. This was followed by a Service of Thanksgiving held at Sheffield Cathedral before guests were invited back to Cutlers’ Hall for the luncheon.

During the Installation Ceremony, the Immediate Past Master reflected on his year, thanking the Lieutenancy, local dignitaries, local Government, emergency services, judiciary, colleges and Sheffield Cathedral. “Thank you all for your friendship and willingness to do things together. The BLBW education scheme exists with support of the SCC to champion manufacturing and skills, Sheffield College has co-designed our Cutlers Machining Apprenticeship with us and the Chambers and Council help us to deliver Made in Sheffield - which proves that none of us exist in isolation.”

Mr Charles Turner DL, also extended his thanks to the Freemen, especially those involved with the Manufacturing Forum and Freemen’s Committee with special appreciation to Richard Gould and Kevin Parkin for establishing the First Tuesday Business Breakfast Forum. This event provides a valuable platform for gathering manufacturing perspectives, and we look forward to seeing its continued development under the new leadership of the Senior Searcher and Anne Wilson MBE ??Whyy Change .

Over his year, the Immediate Past Master hosted the 400th Anniversary Celebrations for The Company, visited many Freemen’s Companies and Businesses, and welcomed new Freemen to the Company, whilst also attending trade shows and the trade mission to Bochum. Mr Charles Turner was delighted to attend the graduations of the Better Learners Better Workers (BLBW) ambassadors and visit some of the schools participating in the programme. This year also marked a collaboration with The Sheffield College launching a new apprenticeship. He has also supported charities and organisations in the local area with donations on behalf of the Cutlers’ Combined Charitable Trust.

The Master Cutler, Mr Philip Rodrigo, declared in his speech that he will uphold the Company’s reputation and continue promoting its purpose as effectively as the predecessors. This includes championing regional manufacturing industries, advancing our educational programmes such as Better Learners Better Workers and Apprenticeships, raising awareness of our charitable work, and reinforcing our relevance to Freeman, Friends, and Regional Government.

The Master Cutler will continue to be the ‘Voice of Manufacturing’ championing businesses and organisations across South Yorkshire. The Master Cutler’s Challenge will also continue, this year the challenge will be supporting people living with dementia working with the Sheffield Hospitals Charity . The Master Cutler closed his speech thanking the immediate Past Master and Mistress Cutler, Mrs Sarah Turner, for all their efforts over the last year whilst looking forward to his year ahead with the Mistress Cutler, Mrs Giselle Rodrigo.