A Day at Stationers’ Hall by Damilola Kusoro

Ceremony, Commitment and a Dash of History

On 14 April, I had the privilege of being officially welcomed into The Stationers’ Company as part of a small but proud cohort of seven new members. Though intimate in number, the ceremony was full of tradition, character, and a surprising amount of handshaking.

Upon arrival at the historic Stationers’ Hall, nestled in the heart of the City of London, we were warmly greeted by the clerks, who calmly walked us through the ceremony proceedings. With the confidence of people who had done it many times before (and could probably do it blindfolded), they guided us through the rehearsal 30 minutes ahead of the main event. A crash course in ceremonial etiquette, complete with timing cues, walking order and, crucially, how not to trip over the steps.

Once rehearsals were done and nerves were relatively settled, we were each handed a yellow envelope — a very ceremonial shade of yellow, I might add — in which we were invited to place a donation of our choosing. This humble envelope would later be placed into a donation box at the end of the ceremony.

As we filed into the main auditorium, we were met by the Masters and Wardens of the Stationers’ Company — all lined up in their finery, giving the whole space a sense of occasion and historical weight. One Warden in particular, Doug Wills, holds special meaning for me, as he was the one who extended the invitation into the Company in the first place. A surreal and full-circle moment, to say the least.

Standing in a line with the rest of my cohort, one by one we stepped forward, stated our names for all to hear, and approached the main table to shake hands with each Warden — a kind of regal relay, minus the baton. With the formal greetings complete, we lined up again and, with all the solemnity we could muster (and decent synchronisation, if I may say so), we read aloud our vow of commitment to the Company. A defining moment, uniting seven strangers under one timeless tradition.

After completing our vows and shaking the hands of the remaining Wardens and the Master, we were treated to a few thoughtful words from the Company’s leadership. Then, with the ceremony complete, we filed out — single file, of course — each placing our yellow envelope into the donation box with a satisfying sense of finality.

With the formalities behind us, we were offered a selection of delicious snacks (no ceremony should end on an empty stomach) and treated to an in-depth guided tour of Stationers’ Hall. The building’s rich history spans centuries, and hearing about its evolution from print to paper to digital was a powerful reminder of how storytelling — in all its forms — remains central to our shared professions.

It was a day filled with tradition, connection, and a real sense of belonging. I’m honoured to now be a part of such a storied institution and look forward to contributing to its legacy in the years to come — yellow envelope and all.