A New Chapter: Joining the Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers

This September, I'll be swearing an oath of allegiance to the King as I'm admitted as a member of The Worshipful Company of Tax Advisers (WCTA), one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, and become a Freeman of the City of London. It's a milestone that connects centuries of London tradition to the modern practice of tax advice, and I wanted to share why it matters to me.

What the WCTA Is

The Livery Companies of the City of London are trade associations and guilds, some dating back to the 12th century, that historically regulated professions and trades within the Square Mile. Today there are 111 of them, ranging from ancient guilds like the Mercers and Goldsmiths to modern professional bodies representing everything from information technologists to arbitrators.

The WCTA is one of the newer additions to that list. It began life in 1995 as a guild formed by members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, became a Company without Livery in 2000, and was formally recognised as the City's 107th Livery Company in January 2005. It received its Royal Charter in 2009, presented the following year. Its motto, Veritas, Caritas, Comitas — Truth, Charity, Courtesy — reflects the values it asks its members to uphold, both professionally and personally. Membership draws from across the tax profession: chartered tax advisers, accountants, lawyers, tax officials, and others who have practised in tax administration.

The Mansion House, City of London

Why This Matters

Joining a Livery Company isn't just an honorific. It's an invitation into a living tradition of professional fellowship, mentorship, and charitable service. The WCTA supports causes through its charitable arms, engages with tax policy and education, and plays a quiet but meaningful role in City of London life — from briefing the Lord Mayor ahead of overseas visits to hosting historical talks on the evolution of taxation itself.

For me, it represents something beyond career milestones: a chance to stand among people who take seriously the idea that tax practice is a profession with a public purpose, not just a technical trade. It's also an opportunity to give back — through mentoring, charitable contributions, and simply being part of a community that has looked after its own for decades.

Becoming a Freeman of the City

Alongside my membership, I'll also be granted the Freedom of the City of London — a status that predates the Livery system itself and was historically a prerequisite for trading within the City's walls. While many of its original practical privileges have faded with time, obtaining the Freedom remains a genuinely special occasion. It's typically the necessary step before a Freeman can later advance to become a full Liveryman of their Company, and it comes with its own small but delightful traditions still observed today.

The Day Itself

The admission itself will be marked with a formal ceremony, followed by a black-tie dinner in the evening — the kind of occasion that captures exactly why these traditions have endured for so long. There's something special about being welcomed into a centuries-old institution through a ceremony that has changed little over time, and then celebrating it properly among new fellow members and friends. I'm looking forward to both in equal measure.

Looking Ahead

I'm genuinely honoured to be joining the WCTA and to take my place, however small, in a tradition that stretches back centuries while staying relevant to the tax profession today. I'm looking forward to the fellowship, the learning, and the chance to contribute to a Company whose values I admire.

More to come as September approaches — I'll share more about the ceremony and what comes next.

About the Author

Sheikh Najam TEP is a City of London Notary advising private clients and corporates on international tax, cross-border succession, and corporate legal structuring. His specialist areas include international corporate tax and structuring, private wealth and succession planning, and notarial and cross-border legal services. He is based at Fox Court, Gray's Inn Road, London.

Read more of his writing at sheikhnajam.com/blog