Welcome to the Coopers Company Website!

The Company is one of over 100 livery companies in the City of London and ranks 36th in order of seniority. Our royal charter was granted by King Henry VII in 1501 although the first mention as an ancient craft guild was in 1298. The craft governed the standard of workmanship in the making of wooden casks and looked after the welfare of its members and their families.

As the craft of cooperage has waned over the centuries in England, so more emphasis and activity has been directed to our charitable work and educational support. We administer six charitable trusts, make appointments to the management committee of the Coopers Livery Housing Fund and contribute to 120 good causes especially in the East End of London where our roots developed serving London docks. Coopers Company and Coborn School at Upminster and Strodes College in Egham benefit from our interest and financial help.

We are now also developing our external roles more actively. These are concentrated on the cooperage trade abroad and modern equivalent industries at home. During 2004 we appointed our first two American freemen and regular visits are made to cooperages in wine producing regions in Europe. Modern container and packaging industries are being cultivated for future membership of the freedom and livery of the Company.

In these various ways we are confident of our future benevolent role over the next 500 years having succeeded in the first 500!