Who we are

History

The Trades House of Glasgow was created at the time of reform of Glasgow's local government in 1605. At that time the electorate was essentially divided into two groups: the Merchants and the Craftsmen. The Craft Incorporations were led by the Deacon Convener who was given a council seat which is retained to this day, but no longer has speaking or voting rights.

Trades House was established to help protect and support the Crafts people of the City. Over the centuries it housed the Trades Free School for boys and girls, worked closely with educational establishments within the City to support initiatives when appropriate and used Funds built up following donations from generous benefactors to assist those in need.

Visit the virtual museum for more details.

Today

Trades House is a charity focusing on both Educational Initiatives and supporting people in need. We give donations of more than £750,000 annually to deserving causes and individuals.

To achieve this we have built strong relationships with establishments from nurseries to universities working to motivate and assist those in learning from pre-schoolers to apprentices. We also work closely with third sector groups to ensure the donations and funds we distribute are given to worthwhile causes and the individuals that will benefit the most.

The Trades House still meets in the Trades Hall in Glassford Street, which, apart from the medieval cathedral, is the oldest building in Glasgow used for its original purpose.

The Platform

The Platform is the group of people who shape and direct Trades House from year to year, similar to a company’s ‘Board’ of Directors. The House is the Governing Body and the members of the Platform are elected by that Body.

Seven people sit on the Platform, each carrying out the seven consecutive roles for one year each. A new member is elected onto the Platform each year, which means it benefits from the experience of those that have sat on it for some time but are invigorated with fresh ideas from the new members.

The Platform is headed by the ‘Deacon Convener’, a position which each Platform member holds during the middle of their term on the Platform. The title ‘Deacon Convener’ was coined because s/he ‘convenes’ the House Trustees. The Deacon Convener is supported by the rest of the Platform, in particular the Collector (who originally would have ‘collected’ subscriptions etc).

Members of The Platform

 

Deacon Convener – Bruce Reidford

Bruce Reidford recently retired from Tunnocks Ltd after spending 30 years as Company Secretary, responsible for all legal and financial matters within the company.

He is immersed in civic duty and charitable work having been an Elder in the Church of Scotland for 35 years, an Ambassador for ‘Glasgow the Caring city’ and carrying out voluntary work for Alzheimer’s Scotland.

Bruce is an Ex Deacon of the Incorporation of Bakers and served on the House Finance Committee, the Charities Committee and Trades House Burns Festival Committee.

 

 

 

Collector - Richard Paterson

Having spent the last 56 years in the Scotch Whisky, it is not surprising whisky almost runs in his blood. In 1933, Richard’s Grandfather established W R Paterson Ltd in Glasgow, specialising in Blending & Bottling and Broking. His Bond in Stockwell Lane, a short distance from the Trades House of Glasgow was taken over by Richard’s father in 1956.

Reflecting on his family’s strong ties to the Scotch Whisky Industry, Richard wanted passionately to make his own mark and therefore embarked on a thirst-quenching mission to learn all about it through The Wine & Spirit Education Trust gaining the Higher Certificate with Distinction and ultimately on the Diploma course too. It was during this period in 1970 having spent 5 years with A Gillies & Co, owners of Glen Scotia Distillery in Campbeltown he joined Whyte & Mackay and within five years became their Master Blender, aged only 26, Richard was reputed at that time to be Scotland’s youngest Master Blender, subsequently earning the title “the Nose”, a mark of distinction that has remained with him ever since. Last year he celebrated 50 years with Whyte & Mackay Limited.

In view of his long career in the Scotch Whisky Industry it was only natural he wanted where possible to engage and support The Trades House of Glasgow with the result he became Visitor of The Incorporation of Maltmen and then Deacon of the Incorporation of the Coopers of Glasgow as well as being admitted to both Worshipful Company of Distillers and Coopers of London.

Education has always been one of Richard’s greatest priorities both for the young and old and he was able to pursue this passion, having been Past President The Institute of Wines & Spirits of Scotland, The 49 Wine & Spirit Club of Scotland, Spirit Chairman of both The International Wine & Spirits Competition and the International Spirits Challenge, as well as joining the Management Committee for The Keepers of the Quaich. Having been also a past President of The Scottish Licensed Trade of the Benevolent Society he remains actively involved with the work of raising money for their pensioners and respective charities Something he continues to do when it comes to The Trades House of Glasgow. In the Queen’s New Year’s honours for 2021 he was award an OBE for Services to the Scotch Whisky Industry