The Trades House of Glasgow has elected retired partner, James Y Miller CA, as its 405th Deacon Convener.

RINGING IN THE NEW

Deacon Convener James Y Miller, Collector John L Kelly

In an historic ceremony stretching back four centuries, the Trades House of Glasgow has elected retired partner and head of the Scottish region Audit and Accounting Practice with KPMG, James (Jimmy) Y Miller as its 405^th Deacon Convener, who will lead the organisation and also assume the role of Third Citizen of Glasgow until October 2011. Joining Jimmy on the Platform as Collector is Colonel John L Kelly MBE, who has served as Joint Regional Liaison Officer for 51 (Scottish) Brigade Since 2003, as principal Ministry of Defence Liaison Officer to the Scottish Government and all civilian agencies in Scotland for military UK operations.

 
Since it was established in 1605, the Trades House of Glasgow has played an important role in fostering trade and industry in the city, along with its 14 Incorporated Crafts. While continuing to promote traditional craft skills through a variety of initiatives, the House is now widely viewed as a centre of excellence in the administration of trusts and legacies, managing funds in excess of £19 million. Considerable resources are also devoted to general benevolent work, with grants of around £400,000 awarded each year to deserving causes and individuals.

Mr Miller, who was Deacon of the Cordiners in 2001-2002, remains a member of its Master Court today Born and educated in Glasgow, he is a former partner and head of the Scottish region Audit and Accounting Practice with KPMG.

Col Kelly, who was Deacon of the Incorporation of Tailors in 2007-2008 and also a member of the Incorporation of Wrights. In his role as Collector, he will support the Deacon Convener, backed by the 14 Deacons and Visitor of the Incorporated Crafts, warmly referred to as the Chain Gang which is attributable to the historic chains of office that each wears.

Commenting on his appointment, Jimmy Miller said: “It is a great honour to have been elected to serve as the 405th Deacon Convener of the Trades of Glasgow. I look forward to representing the House and also my native city during my year of office.

“My predecessor, J Michael Low, has had a very busy year and greatly enhanced the reputation of the House in many ways both in the City of Glasgow and beyond. Along with my Collector and Chain Gang, we look forward to continuing the good work while welcoming new faces to our 14 Crafts, which currently have a 7,000-plus membership between them.”

Each year the Deacon Convener selects a charity as the beneficiary of major fundraising events that form part of the Trades House calendar. Mr Millers chosen charity is the new Scottish Epilepsy Centre being built in Govan by Quarriers Homes.

The aim of the Glasgow Ball this year is to raise at least £25,000 for the new Quarriers Scottish Epilepsy Centre. The new building will include facilities for education, research and residential assessment as well as access to the latest technology and facilities for both patients and carers including better access to the emergency services and the Institute of Neurology at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.  

The Trades House of Glasgow was founded in 1605, when the Letter of Guildry was signed establishing the organisation as a federal union of the 14 Crafts, the Scottish equivalent of the craft guilds or livery companies that developed in many of the cities in Europe during the middle ages. Today, Trades House and its 14 Incorporated Craft Guilds have more than 7000 members drawn from a wide range of backgrounds.

The House’s encouragement of youth and promotion of traditional skills across Glasgow take place through its annual initiatives - the Schools Craft Competition, Citizenship Award, Craftex awards and exhibition for college students, and the Modern Apprentice of the Year Award. Always concerned with the welfare of its beneficiaries (Pensioners), the House also employs a social worker to make necessary visits and help those in real need.