The Bridge Clerk of the Rochester Bridge Trust has been awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
Sue Threader, who is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, was presented with the freedom as part of her journey to become a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers.
Following centuries-old traditions, livery companies were originally formed as a way of guaranteeing a member was trustworthy and fully-qualified. In modern times their role has evolved to promote charity and education. They are also an essential part of the governance of the City of London.
Sue was encouraged to join the Worshipful Company of Engineers because of her charitable engineering education works and her general dedication to the profession. She explains: “Liverymen of the company are limited to 350, and so to be accepted to this position I had to meet a number of professional criteria, as well as completing an interview process. Once I had passed this, there was a ceremony for me to take an oath to become a Freeman of the company in December. This was the first step.
“To progress to the next level, Liveryman, you have to become a Freeman of the City of London, which I was honoured to receive earlier this month.”
Sue will now go forward to a “clothing” ceremony, which will see her admitted as a full Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers.
Find out more about the Worshipful Company of Engineers, and the Freedom of the City of London.