Formed in 1986 and granted Livery status in 1992, the Information Technologists’ Company is the 100th City of London Livery Company.
In 2010 the Company was granted a Royal Charter by the Queen.
In 2010 the Company was granted a Royal Charter by the Queen.
All our members have enjoyed successful careers involving information technology in some form and are passionate about contributing to the greater good of society and keeping the great traditions of the City of London alive. More than 800 leading professionals belong to the Company from all segments of the wide ranging IT sector – entrepreneurs, industry and government leaders, company directors, software engineers, project directors, games industry leaders, embedded software experts, academic pioneers and many more. Our activities combine the centuries-old Livery traditions with the power of information technology and computer science to enhance the social and economic well-being of society.
Members give freely of their time, resources and the contacts available through their individual networks to the Company’s charitable and social activities. The Company’s governing body is the Court of 32 Liverymen, which is chaired by the Master of the Company. The Master is supported by the Deputy Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden and Panel Warden all of whom are appointed annually. The Company’s Clerk, supported by a small number of administration and charity staff, manages the day-to-day activities of the Company.
Similar to other Livery Companies our activities focus on four key areas: Charity, Education, Industry and Commerce, and Fellowship. We also run a Journeyman Scheme which supports young IT professionals with leadership potential in the early stages of their careers.
The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists therefore works to promote the IT industry, but also runs a significant programme of charitable and educational activities. We are not, however, either the industry professional institution or trade association, although we do have affiliations or other forms of relationships with such bodies. More specifically, WCIT Objectives are to provide a professional forum for:
Charity
We understand and have experienced the power of information technology to enhance lives and bring social and economic benefits to organisations and society at large. We want to ensure that disadvantaged individuals and the charity sector are able to enjoy these benefits too and we locate, mobilise and deliver resources to make this happen. Many of our members contribute their time and skills specifically to our charitable activities and we also make donations through our charitable funds.
Education
Information technology can transform the learning process and make it widely available to all in society. We promote equal access to learning using IT.
For hundreds of years Livery Companies have supported schools in London and across the country. As a relatively new Company we are especially proud of our first new build school, the Hammersmith Academy which we sponsor in partnership with the Mercers’ Company. We also support Lilian Baylis Technology School, Treloar School and Prior's Court.
Industry
We follow current developments in the information technology and computer science fields and identify issues of critical importance to business and the City in order to promote debate and awareness. With members drawn from across the wide ranging IT sector we offer a neutral meeting ground for key issues of concern to both the IT profession and the City of London. We work in partnership with other relevant organisations to foster the IT industry, facilitating discussion through seminars, conferences and private meetings. We also mobilise the skills and resources of our members to offer a pro bono service to entrepreneurs including mentoring and assistance with setting up and running an early stage company.
Fellowship
The Company offers a wide range of activities and social events which are very enjoyable and enable our members to communicate with other industry peers in the City of London and the IT sector at large. Our members often comment on the friendliness of our events and the warm welcome they receive on joining the Company. We also provide for the welfare of members and their dependants in cases of extreme hardship.