New Liverymen

Bob Coutts was born in Fauldhouse, a village in West Lothian, Scotland. He now lives a few miles from his birthplace in Newarthill with his partner and fiancée Anne.

After an apprenticeship as a Slater/Roughcaster, Bob transferred to Hart Builders Ltd where he refined his crafts. In 1975 he began lecturing to Craft and Advanced Craft Level. He lectured at Telford College/ Edinburgh College and advanced to Senior Lecturer (Curriculum) from 2017 he has been a Trainer/Assessor of Roof Slating and Tiling based at Nutts Corner Training Centre, Belfast NI.

When not involved in Slating and Tiling competitions at regional, national and international level Bob enjoys his RA Freemasonry and making brass badges especially with a roofing theme.

Guy was born in Harrogate and still lives there with his wife and two children. 

On graduation in agricultural economics, Guy spent a few years working in IT and business. In May 2005 Guy joined the family business, York Handmade Bricks, and assumed the role of Managing Director in January 2016. 

Today, Yorkshire Handmade Bricks sells approximately 2.5 million bricks a year. In his spare time Guy enjoys horse racing, gardening and running.

Living in Ashford, Surrey, Ian is married to Alison and has three adult children.  He was educated at the Emscote Lawn School, Warwick and the King’s School, Worcester. He is a graduate of the City and Guilds of London Institute.

Joined HM Customs & Excise in April 1975 which morphed into Border Force, part of the Home Office. Currently in Heathrow’s Senior Leadership Team, as Border Force’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement & Security.

Ian was commissioned in the Army in 1978.  Appointed as Commandant of Middlesex & NW London Army Cadet Force in 2006, then National Army Cadets Training Advisor.  Appointed as Colonel Cadets for HQ London District in 2015.

Shahab is a journalist, broadcaster and former war correspondent with more than two decades of frontline and newsroom experience.

Born in Tehran and a naturalised British citizen since 1990, he has reported on conflicts and international affairs across the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Fluent in five languages, he brings cultural range and analytical depth to his work, now contributing regularly on British affairs to outlets including GB News.

Alongside his journalism, he runs a successful public relations practice, advising global clients on communications strategy while continuing to write and comment on politics, diplomacy and security. 

Stuart was born in Portsmouth.  After gaining various qualifications in electrics and engineering, Stuart undertook a number of roles as a fitter and then a salesman.  He moved into group sales with Keystone and IG Lintels, then Timloc Building Products and Cupa Pizzaras. He is now Wales and South West Regional Manager for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors.

Stuart lives near Sherborne with his wife and two children.  Stuart is interest in slate, geology and the built environment and is a supporter of Southampton FC.

Michael was born in Ashford in Middlesex. He now lives near Shrewsbury. He is married with three children.

Michael started his working life in the Sales Office of John Williams and Co of Rotherhithe, a roofing contractor. Building his knowledge and expertise on roofing from the Master Slaters he worked with, Michael rose in seniority in the industry.  In 1995 he joined the Ffestiniog Slate Group which became Welsh Slate, part of the Breedon Group,  in 1997. Michael stayed and grew with the Company. Today he is the Commercial Director.

Michael sits on the Board of the Institute of Roofing and is actively involved with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. 

In his spare time, Michael enjoys family life and watching sport. He is a member of the MCC.

Simon has always worked in customer facing roles, starting his career with Bradford & Bingley, then working as long haul cabin crew for British Airways, a firefighter in Manchester and even as part-time postman. In 2014, he set up Jacob’s Ladder Property Consultancy Ltd, which now boasts over 100 private clients.  Born in Bury, Simon now lives in Edenfield, Lancashire and has two sons, Jacob and Jude. He is a local Ward Councillor, an active Freemason and attends his local Church regularly. He is very active in his local community and enjoys raising funds for local charities. Simon received the Freedom of the City of London in July.

Rupert was born in Hong Kong and educated in England. Rupert took part in a Land Rover Rally to Post War Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2001 and subsequently became involved with the rebuilding of Post War Bosnia-Herzegovina - starting a lifelong interest in the country. He went on to study architecture at university and has worked as an architect since 2005. He joined Holden Harper, now Holden Ford in 2013 and progressed to be the partner of Liveryman Richard Holden, and, with Richard's retirement, is now Director of Holden Ford. Rupert lives in Hampshire with his wife and three young children. His hobbies include building and construction (he is restoring his own home in Hampshire) and classic car restoration.