TRADES HOUSE BELL WELCOMES IN NEW DEACON CONVENER

Four centuries of tradition have been honoured in an historic ceremony, as the Trades House of Glasgow elects John R Steele (Jack) as its Deacon Convener and Hamish Brodie as Collector, to lead the organisation until October 2012.  At his election, the Deacon Convener also assumes the role of Third Citizen of Glasgow for one year.

Jack Steele was a Chartered Civil Engineer and the principal engineer for strategic roads planning in Strathclyde Regional Council, before running his own transportation consultancy from 1996 until his retirement in 2009.

Commenting on his appointment in this the 406^th year of the organisation, Jack said:  "The opportunity to serve the community through the highest office within the Trades House of Glasgow is indeed a great honour and one I am looking forward to. 

“As we continue our many benevolent activities and both encourage and promote traditional and modern craft, design and technology skills through our schools and colleges, we will be busy ensuring people are aware of the existence and role of the Trades House.  We are a thriving organisation ready to serve and ready to receive new members to our individual Crafts.”

Elected as Collector of the Trades House is Hamish Brodie, a retired Chartered Engineer and Chairman of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (Scottish Region).  He will support the Deacon Convener during his year in office, backed by the Deacons and Visitor of the 14 Incorporated Trades, organisations that have been in existence since the sixteen century. 

Each year, the Deacon Convener and Chain Gang raise funds for a chosen charity.  This year they aim to raise £30,000 to provide purpose built mobility transport for the East Park charity in Glasgow.  It provides 24-hour care and education for children and young people from five to 19 years of age, who have complex learning and physical differences including autism. 

DEACON CONVENER –

John R Steele (Jack) TD MSc BSc ARCST DMS CEng FICE FCIHT FCMI

Jack Steele is an Ex Deacon of the Incorporation of Masons (1998-99) and also a member of the Wrights, Hammermen, Barbers and the Merchants House.  He is married to Anne, who is Ex Deacon of the Incorporation of Barbers, and the couple live in Pollokshields.  They have two sons and a daughter between them.

Educated at Shawlands Academy, Jack studied at the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, qualifying as a Chartered Civil Engineer and later specialising in transportation planning with Strathclyde Regional Council.  From 1996, he was Managing Director of Jayress Consultants Limited prior to his retirement in 2009.

Jack had an extensive career in the Territorial Army with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, culminating in a ten year appointment as Honorary Colonel for the Second Division.

He is currently Chairman of the Pollokshields Burgh Hall Trust and a Director with the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and is also a Past President of the Rotary Club of Glasgow, the Sandyford Burns Club and the Bridgeton Burns Club.  A Kirk Elder, Jack was Session Clerk at Glasgow Cathedral from 2005 to 2008. 

COLLECTOR

Hamish Brodie

Hamish Brodie, Ex Deacon of the Incorporation of Weavers (1996-97) and former Master of the Trades House Lodge (2000-02 and 2007-08), is the new Collector of the Trades House of Glasgow.  A retired Chartered Engineer and Chairman of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, Scottish Region (1997-98 and 1998–99), Hamish lives in Newton Mearns with his wife Aileen, who is Ex Deacon of the Incorporation of Weavers (2010 -11). The couple have a son Stuart and daughter Susan.

Hamish has played an active role in the Trades House over the years. He also sat on the Commonweal Fund 2001-03, was Manager of the Drapers’ Fund 2003-04 and has been Coordinator of the Citizenship Award since 2001. Outwith the Trades House, Hamish is an Elder in Newton Mearns Parish Church, a Director of Clyde Supporters Trust and a member of East Renfrewshire Golf Club.

The first duty of the Collector of the House is to support the Deacon Convener at functions during the year.  The second is to take responsibility for the Trades House Accounts and to chair the Investment Committee.  The Clerk to the House Iain Paterson provides assistance with the accounts and delegation of the investment process is seen to maximise the return available for distribution to Trades House beneficiaries and many good causes throughout the City.