Annual Report 2023

INTEGRITY • FRIENDSHIP

RESPECT • SERVICE

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024 Contents

Freemasonry

We are a unique memb ers ’ org ani sation that has thr ive d for over 300 years. Having no p olitical or relig ious affiliations , we

We are a unique members’ organisation that has thrived for over 300 years. Having no political or religious affi liations, we comprise members of all ages, races, religions, cultures and backgrounds. We meet in our individual Lodges throughout the country, where we have ceremonial traditions which encourage us both to be more tolerant and respectful and actively to fulfi l our civic and charitable responsibilities; we also make time to eat, drink and meet together, and form lifelong friendships.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

The Grand Master & First Grand Principal

The Grand Master & First Grand Principal

Iam very pleased to welcome you to this, the fourth annual report of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE), covering the year from April 2023 to 2024.

It has been another year of progress and change – with the Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond now firmly established, tackling the Membership Challenge rightly remains the focus of our organisation’s efforts.

Over the past 12 months, many new initiatives have been introduced by the Strategy Working Party, under the leadership of the Pro Grand Master, MW Bro Jonathan Spence. While these efforts are slowly beginning to bear fruit, much hard work remains ahead – I encourage our members to continue their efforts to ensure that we achieve our aim of remaining a thriving membership organisation.

Last year, we not only looked ahead to our future, but also took inspiration from our past. 2023

marked the 300th anniversary of the 1723 Constitutions – a document that gave the world an astonishingly bold, almost revolutionary, proclamation of values, which became a cornerstone of the principles of the Enlightenment. I am pleased to say that, over 300 years later, these values and principles continue to remain at the heart of our organisation.

At the front of the Book of Constitutions stands an important declaration enshrining the Royal Arch as a cornerstone of our Constitution, and in my role as First Grand Principal, I am pleased with the efforts to highlight the importance to our members of continuing the journey they started in the Craft into the Royal Arch.

As a clear demonstration that we are one organisation, I am pleased to appoint ME Comp Sir David Wootton as the new Second Grand Principal. Sir David has been Deputy Grand Master since September 2022 and was previously Assistant Grand Master. In his new role, he will continue to bring to

bear his leadership and expertise to support myself and the Pro First Grand Principal, as well as our wider organisation.

Sir David succeeds ME Comp Russell Race, who retires as Second Grand Principal after nine years in the role. Russell has had a

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

The Grand Master & First Grand Principal

I am fi lled with confidence with an active, engaged and – I hope –growing membership, contributing greatly to their communities

distinguished career serving our organisation at the highest levels for over 30 years, including six years as Metropolitan Grand Master and Grand Superintendent. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his service, and no doubt he will continue to contribute greatly in the years ahead.

RW Bro Sir Michael Snyder joins the Rulers as the new Deputy Grand Master. Sir Michael has been Metropolitan Grand Master and Grand Superintendent since 2015, and brings many years of corporate and civic experience with him to the role and we wish him well.

Looking ahead to the next year, I am filled with confidence, with an active, engaged and – I hope –growing membership, contributing greatly to their communities. It is in this area we continue to excel, and you will see in this report, some of the breadth and impact of our efforts.

Indeed, it is to reflect this breadth of activity that we have changed our core value of ‘Charity’ to ‘Service’. This reflects the true nature of our contribution to society and that, while our members continue to raise funds, the time and energy they contribute to their communities is just as, if not more, important than a solely financial contribution.

On a final personal note, I am delighted that my son George, Earl of St Andrews, was initiated into Royal Alpha Lodge No.16 last year. He continues a long line of my family’s close association with and love of the Craft.

I wish him, as do I all those recently initiated Brethren, many very happy years as members of this distinguished and most enjoyable organisation.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

United Grand Lodge of England: At a Glance

United Grand Lodge of England: At a Glance

OUR VALUES

INTEGRITY

The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is the home of Freemasonry in England, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and a number of Districts and Groups overseas.

One of the oldest secular social and charitable organisations in the world, modern Freemasonry’s roots lie in the traditions of the medieval stonemasons who built our castles and cathedrals.

Administration of the Royal Arch and its Chapters has been entrusted by UGLE to the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England. The Royal Arch is a core part of Freemasonry and is directly linked to the United Grand Lodge of England.

For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service. In today’s

world filled with uncertainty, these principles ring as true now as they have at any point in the organisation’s history.

Membership is open to men over 18 from all backgrounds, and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – building character, supporting members as individuals and helping them make a positive contribution to society.

Women Freemasons have been meeting across the country for more than 100 years. There are two female-only Grand Lodges: The Order of Women Freemasons and HFAF – Freemasonry for Women and UGLE has an excellent working relationship with both.

Freemasonry provides a structure for members to come together under these common goals, enabling people to make new friendships, develop themselves and make valuable contributions to charitable causes. We are one of the largest charitable givers in the country, contributing millions of pounds to deserving causes every year.

Honesty, trustworthiness, honour, reliability and conscientiousness form the foundation of a virtuous character. They foster trust, maintain integrity, and demonstrate commitment, ultimately leading to a life of strong principles and dependable actions.

FRIENDSHIP

Freemasonry gives members many opportunities to make a wide circle of friends for life who share common interests and values. It provides a bond of friendship and sense of belonging. This promotes a feeling of enjoyment and fulfilment.

RESPECT

From its earliest days, Freemasonry has respected the beliefs of its members. It promotes an environment where diversity is valued. It is a space where different beliefs and backgrounds converge, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, tolerance and harmony.

SERVICE

Whether participating in events, fundraising for a charitable cause or volunteering for public or community organisations, service is at the very heart of Freemasonry. Our members make valuable contributions by donating time, resources and skills.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

United Grand Lodge of England: At a Glance

UGLE FIGURES

168,961

Total members

150,124

England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

18,837 Overseas

PROVINCES, DISTRICTS AND GROUPS

48 Provinces and Metropolitan Grand Lodge

32 Districts

4 Groups (Malta, Montreal and Halifax, Portugal, and South  West Pacific)

Our Leadership

Jonathan Spence, DL Pro Grand Master & Pro First Grand Principal

Sir Michael Snyder Deputy Grand Master (Past Second Grand Principal)

David Medlock, DL Assistant Grand Master (Past Third Grand Principal)

STRATEGY OVERSIGHT GROUP

Jonathan Spence, DL* Pro Grand Master & Pro First Grand Principal

David Bell** Grand Treasurer

Shaun Butler*** Director of Membership and Communications

Oliver Coddington*** Director of Secretariat and Deputy Grand Secretary

Quentin Humberstone** Member of the Board of General Purposes

Gareth Jones, OBE*

Third Grand Principal (Past Assistant Grand Master)

James Long** Chairman of the Masonic Charitable Foundation

Sir David Wootton* Second Grand Principal (Past Deputy Grand Master)

Steven Varley Assistant Grand Master (Past Third Grand Principal)

Michael Ward President of the Board of General Purposes

Gareth Jones, OBE Third Grand Principal (Past Assistant Grand Master)

Professor Stephen Tucker President of the Committee of General Purposes

Adrian Marsh*** Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe Ezra

David Medlock, DL*

Assistant Grand Master (Past Third Grand Principal)

Tom Milner** Member of the Board of General Purposes

Sir Michael Snyder* Deputy Grand Master (Past Second Grand Principal)

John Thompson** Provincial Grand Master and Grand Superintendent (Durham)

Professor Stephen Tucker** President of the Committee of General Purposes

Steven Varley*

Assistant Grand Master (Past Third Grand Principal)

Michael Ward** President of the Board of General Purposes

Jonathan Whitaker, DL** Deputy President of the Board of General Purposes

Sir David Wootton*

Second Grand Principal (Past Deputy Grand Master)

Adrian Marsh Grand Secretary and Grand Scribe Ezra

* Rulers

** Board members

1. CANADA

Montreal/Halifax

The Group of Lodges in Montreal & Halifax (3 Lodges, 1 Chapter)

2. CARIBBEAN

Kingston/George Town

District Grand Lodge of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands (26 Lodges, 13 Chapters)

Port of Spain

District Grand Lodge of Trinidad & Tobago (8 Lodges, 1 Chapter)

Bridgetown

District Grand Lodge of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean (22 Lodges, 15 Chapters)

Georgetown

District Grand Lodge of Guyana (15 Lodges, 8 Chapters)

3. ATLANTIC

Nassau

District Grand Lodge of Bahamas & Turks (13 Lodges, 7 Chapters)

Hamilton

District Grand Lodge of Bermuda (5 Lodges, 1 Chapter)

4. SOUTH AMERICA

São Paulo/ Rio de Janeiro

District Grand Lodge of South America, Northern Division (24 Lodges, 1 Chapter)

Buenos Aires/ Santiago/Montevideo

District Grand Lodge of South America, Southern Division (14 Lodges, 4 Chapters)

5. EUROPE

Portugal

The Group of Lodges in Portugal (4 Lodges, 3 Chapters)

Gibraltar

District Grand Lodge of Gibraltar (9 Lodges, 3 Chapters)

Valletta

The Group of Lodges in Malta (2 Lodges, 2 Chapters)

Limassol

District Grand Lodge of Cyprus (19 Lodges, 7 Chapters)

6. WEST AFRICA

Freetown/Banjul

District Grand Lodge of Sierra Leone & The Gambia (21 Lodges, 11 Chapters)

Accra

District Grand Lodge of Ghana (59 Lodges, 27 Chapters)

Lagos

District Grand Lodge of Nigeria (42 Lodges, 14 Chapters)

7. EAST AFRICA

Nairobi

District Grand Lodge of East Africa (48 Lodges, 18 Chapters)

8. SOUTHERN AFRICA

Johannesburg

District Grand Lodge of South Africa, North (80 Lodges, 41 Chapters)

Kimberley

District Grand Lodge of South Africa, Central Division (8 Lodges, 4 Chapters)

Windhoek

District Grand Lodge of Namibia (4 Lodges, 1 Chapter)

Cape Town

District Grand Lodge of South Africa, Western Division (16 Lodges, 11 Chapters)

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Across the Globe

Across the Globe

THE DISTRICTS AND GROUPS OF UGLE

Ndola

District Grand Lodge of Zambia (11 Lodges, 3 Chapters)

Harare/Lilongwe

District Grand Lodge of Zimbabwe & Malawi (12 Lodges, 5 Chapters)

Durban

District Grand Lodge of Kwazulu-Natal (22 Lodges, 12 Chapters)

Bloemfontein

District Grand Lodge of Orange Free State (7 Lodges, 4 Chapters)

Port Elizabeth

District Grand Lodge of South Africa, Eastern Division (19 Lodges, 9 Chapters)

9. THE SUBCONTINENT

Mumbai

District Grand Lodge of Bombay (23 Lodges, 15 Chapters)

New Delhi

District Grand Lodge of Northern India (5 Lodges, 3 Chapters)

Kolkata

District Grand Lodge of Bengal (23 Lodges, 8 Chapters)

Chennai

District Grand Lodge of Madras (18 Lodges, 15 Chapters)

Colombo

District Grand Lodge of Sri Lanka (10 Lodges, 5 Chapters)

10. THE FAR EAST

Kuala Lumpur/ Singapore/Thailand

District Grand Lodge of The Eastern Archipelago (40 Lodges, 21 Chapters)

Hong Kong/Kobe

District Grand Lodge of Hong Kong & The Far East (20 Lodges, 7 Chapters)

Vanuatu/Fiji

The Group of Lodges in the South West Pacific (3 Lodges)

11. AUSTRALIA 4 Lodges

12. NEW ZEALAND

Christchurch

District Grand Lodge of South Island, New Zealand (13 Lodges, 1 Chapter)

Auckland

District Grand Lodge of North Island, New Zealand (24 Lodges, 12 Chapters)

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

The Pro Grand Master & Pro First Grand Principal

As I look back over the past twelve months, what I am most impressed by is how many of our members have embraced our Strategy and rolled up their sleeves in helping to tackle the Membership Challenge. The subtle, but important, change of adopting a ‘yes, if’ approach in place of a ‘no, because’ attitude is starting to bear fruit across all levels of our organisation.

UGLE has focused on delivering on its commitment of Strong Foundations to facilitate the important work done at a Provincial and District level, and the Grand Secretary will provide further details in his report on some of the key initiatives that have either been delivered or will be launched shortly.

A major milestone over the past twelve months has been ensuring that all Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Superintendents, together with their leadership teams, are fully aware of their individual membership challenges and are now well underway in their focused local initiatives to deliver the Strategy. Importantly the Rulers

are taking a hands-on approach in supporting and monitoring our efforts at Provincial level – and will continue to do so going forward.

As I have already said on a number of occasions during the last year, the success of our Strategy lies in the hands of our members – and it will be their continued enthusiasm and efforts that see it delivered. For the avoidance of doubt, despite the progress made since its launch, the delivery of the Strategy is very much a long-distance race, not a sprint, and will continue to require our focus for its full seven-year term.

With this in mind, a number of initiatives have focused on supporting growth at individual Lodge and Chapter level – by both bringing in new members and, more importantly, retaining them. The success of the Members’ Pathway in helping to achieve these goals cannot be underestimated. Presentations from Lodges at the September Quarterly Communication in Wales testified to the benefits of adopting the Members’ Pathway and it should be the cornerstone on which Lodges and Chapters should build as they look to retain or regain their thriving membership profile.

Adopting a ‘yes, if’ approach in place of a ‘no, because’ attitude is starting to bear fruit across all levels of our organisation

The Pro Grand Master & Pro First

Grand Principal

In a similar vein, the recently released Multiple Candidate Video was designed as a how-to guide for those Lodges that felt uncomfortable or unable to work multiple-candidate ceremonies. While we are encouraged with the initial viewing figures, its success will rely on Brethren embracing its messages and putting it into practice – significantly reducing waiting lists and bringing more members into our wonderful

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

The Pro Grand Master & Pro First Grand Principal

organisation, sooner than would otherwise have been the case.

‘One Journey, One Organisation’ is a critical message we have reinforced over the past twelve months – the Craft and the Royal Arch are one journey for our members and should be presented as such. We believe the lessons learned in Chapter are hugely beneficial to our members and support engagement and retention. Through the launch of Archway, and initiatives such as the encouragement of adoption of Savage Ritual – a shorter but no less impressive or meaningful Exaltation Ceremony – we have applied the same strategic focus on the Royal Arch as we have the Craft. This will go further in the coming months, as we look to remove the separate joining fee for the Royal Arch and will begin a steady financial integration of UGLE and SGC.

We have also enhanced our engagement and cooperation with the broader Masonic family. The Companion Orders continue to be an essential part of the tapestry of English and Welsh Freemasonry, and our cooperation with Mark Masons’ Hall and the Supreme Council is deeper and more aligned than ever before. This was exemplified by an address given by the Pro Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Bro John Prizeman, at the March Quarterly Communication emphasising the symbiotic relationship across the Orders – and that the success of the Craft and Royal Arch is paramount to the success of Freemasonry. I wish to thank Bro John personally for his ongoing support and partnership.

We continue to maintain increasingly strong links with the

Women’s Orders, and our work with them on the Universities Scheme represents a practical demonstration of how this cooperation is highly beneficial to our respective organisations.

While much of our focus has been here at home, the Tercentenary of the Constitutions has given us an opportunity to engage with the Masonic family overseas. Flagship events were held in Paris, Washington DC and at the University of Cambridge, providing an opportunity for discussion, debate and celebration. Most importantly, they reminded us of Freemasonry’s continued impact on the world and how widespread our message and values truly are.

Looking to the year ahead, important initiatives will enhance our membership engagement and support the delivery of the Strategy. Arguably the two most significant will be the launch of a new member website and database – reducing the burden of administration and making it easier for members to engage with their Lodges, Provinces and UGLE – as well as the ‘Third Pillar Review’, which will focus on our community engagement, and how we can be even more effective with the phenomenal contributions of our members’ time, expertise, skills and money.

I look forward with hope and expectation. As the delivery of the Strategy is increasingly in the hands of members, I know their enthusiasm and love of our organisation will inspire them to redouble their efforts in tackling the Membership Challenge and ensure that UGLE remains the thriving organisation it has been for so much of its history.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024 President's Report

President’s Report

The principal functions of the Board of General Purposes include, together with the Rulers, setting the strategic direction for UGLE and providing oversight of the Board Committees and the Grand Secretary’s organisation to ensure they are efficient, effective and deliver value for money for our members. The Board also has a specific responsibility for the finances, property and affairs of Grand Lodge and with all Rulers for the Stewardship of Freemasonry.

RW Bro Geoffrey Dearing retired as President of the Board

in April 2023 and was succeeded by RW Bro Michael Ward who had served as his Deputy since 2022 having spent 13 years as the senior Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master. For three of Bro Dearing’s five years as President, our members and their families, as well as UGLE’s operations, were faced with unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID pandemic. A great debt of gratitude is owed to

Trend of members 2014-23

him and the Board for their leadership during these very difficult times.

2023/24 highlights

1

Attendance at meetings. In 2022/23 there was renewed enthusiasm across all parts of our Constitution to kick-start Lodge meetings. There was an understandable hesitancy by some members, particularly those who travel by public transport, to attend meetings. In 2023/24 we seem to be returning to preCOVID attendance levels.

2 Membership trends. The charts below provide an overview of the key trends from 2014 to 2023. The disruption to

Observations

The early indications are that the rate of loss of members has slowed following the rollout of the Strategy, with new members being attracted through the National Digital Marketing Campaigns and the adoption of the Members’ Pathway which aims to help attract and engage members. Some Provinces and Districts have achieved a net growth in members but there are still a number that have yet to turn the corner.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

President's Report

Lodge meetings during the COVID lockdowns has distorted the trends and it will take four to six months for the full-year 2023 data to be reliable as a result of the inherent lag in reporting losses on ADelphi, UGLE’s membership system.

3 Quarterly Communication (QC) in Newport. The QC in Newport in September 2023 was a major milestone. It was the first QC in Wales and the first meeting outside London for nearly 85 years. It was a stunning success, supported by more than 1,300 Brethren who were willing to travel from all parts of the Constitution. Congratulations must go to the Grand Secretary and Grand Director of Ceremonies and their teams for the smooth running of

the event and, of course, to the ProGM for his command of the intricacies of the Welsh language and the tutoring of the Welsh language experts from our four Welsh Provinces who, with Ian Copestake (ProvGM for Derbyshire), reconciled their ‘dialects’, to create an agreed script.

4 Actions in support of the ‘Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond’. During 2023,

the Board together with the Rulers and Grand Secretary has taken actions aimed at facilitating the rollout of the Strategy – see overleaf.

5Streamlining the Board Committees. During 2023, the Board Committees have been rationalised. The Audit and Risk Committees have been consolidated into a single Committee; the Hall Committee now reports directly to the Grand Secretary; and the

The fi rst Quarterly Communication in Wales, the fi rst meeting outside London for nearly 85 years, was supported by more than 1,300 Brethren

Gains (as % of members at 1 Jan each year)Losses (as % of members at 1 Jan each year) & exclusions

Observations

The increase in Initiates in 2022 was almost certainly as a result of clearing the backlog of candidates built up during the pandemic, when Lodges could not meet.

There was a similar uptick in the number of Joiners and Rejoiners. The numbers have fallen back slightly in 2023.

Observations

Losses increased in all categories in 2022 as Lodges updated their membership data in a post-COVID catch-up.

The losses shown in 2023 will be understated as a significant number of Lodges submit their annual returns in the last quarter of the year and it typically takes four to six months for ADelphi to be updated. The number of members becoming unattached as a result of Lodge closures is a cause of concern.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

President's Report

Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond

a. Putting in place more robust budgeting and financial management as part of creating Strong Foundations

b. Oversight of the ‘Membership Challenge’ to assist the Rulers in providing targeted support to Provinces to help increase Initiates and reduce losses as part of Thriving Organisation

UGLE Trading Company has been folded into the Grand Secretary’s organisation under the management of the Director of Commercial and Hospitality Operations. The Board Committees now comprise Audit & Risk; External Relations; Remuneration; Investment; and Property Investment.

6c. Breaking down the departmental silos in the move to a more Coherent Organisation

Project 2023. In late 2022, the Board took the decision to pause the roll-out of Hermes, an online portal for Lodge Secretaries to update membership data on ADelphi. It had gone live in Lodges and Chapters in 21 Provinces and three Districts, with significant benefits in terms of more accurate

d. Consolidating the Membership and Communications Working Parties into a single Working Party and repositioning it to report directly to the Strategy Group.

and up-to-date membership data. However, the roll-out was placing unsustainable demands on both the UGLE IT and Provincial Support Teams. A number of areas where changes to the system (to address bugs and simplify data input) had also been identified and further user training and Provincial

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

President's Report

The Board will develop planned programmes of continuous improvement aimed at reducing UGLE’s operating costs and increasing income

support procedures were required.

At the same time, Oracle announced that support for the software on which ADelphi had been built was being discontinued in 2025. There would therefore be a significant cost in converting the ADelphi system to Oraclesupported software.

The Board took the decision to evaluate the options for replacing ADelphi and Hermes and approved the investment in Project 2023 to replace them with an ‘open source’ system. The initial phase to be delivered in the first quarter of 2024 will provide a new membership database allowing members to maintain their own personal data. There will be a phased roll-out of Project 2023 during 2024/25 and, in parallel, Hermes will be extended to a few smaller Provinces.

7 Membership dues. The Board spent a significant amount of time considering the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our members and their families. The Board also noted that UGLE’s employees face the same financial pressures and there are similar challenges at Freemasons’ Hall with escalating energy and utility costs.

The Board concluded that a below-inflation increase in annual dues was an appropriate and responsible recommendation

although it would mean that UGLE would have to manage with an operating deficit in 2024.

The aim would be to cover the deficit through increased income from external events using Freemasons’ Hall and tight managements of our operating costs and key infrastructure projects. None of this would be done at the cost of disrupting the enjoyment of our members’ use of Freemasons’ Hall.

Priorities for 2024-27

The Board’s priorities for 2024/27 are, in summary:

1 Continue supporting the Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond with specific oversight to:

a. put in place a robust three- to five-year rolling financial/ management plan;

b. develop planned programmes of continuous improvement aimed at reducing UGLE’s operating costs and increasing income; and

c. provide routine management information on membership trends to assist Provincial Rulers to address the Membership Challenge with the end goal of a sustainable increase in membership.

2 Deliver the agreed functionality of Project 2023 to time and budget.

3 Review options for funding projects including dining in Freemasons’ Hall, Regent Street disease and IT. The provision of cost-effective dining in Freemasons’ Hall as part of a broader programme with Metropolitan Grand Lodge is key to retaining membership of London Lodges and Chapters.

4 Assist with the development of the strategy for the Library & Museum to reposition it as a key communications and marketing channel for Freemasonry consistent with the Membership and Communications Working Party priorities, and collaboration with the wider Museum community (both internal and external) and Masonic Researchers.

5

Reassess UGLE’s communications and marketing priorities and put in place a framework of measurable objectives against which to assess progress.

6

Contribute to the introduction of a Talent Development Programme to help unleash the power of the organisation by identifying ‘hidden’ skills and experience and creating opportunities to nurture and develop our future leaders.

7 As part of the ‘One Organisation’ element of the Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond, to consider ways in which the financial administration of the Craft and Royal Arch might be combined.

There will be ‘business as usual’ in all other areas of the Board’s responsibilities.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Financial Highlights

2023 was arguably the first year since 2019 when the operations of the United Grand Lodge of England could focus on growth and investment without being dominated by the continued impact of the pandemic. Year-on-year income increased; however, costs were affected by rising inflation, particularly in the utilities sector.

INCOME

Our total income rose by 2.4% compared with 2022. Income from annual dues made up 56% of total income at £7.8 million, £0.4 million higher than in 2022. Great efforts have been made over recent years to reverse the historical decline in memberships. With our new strategy in place, we anticipate that our membership will return to growth during the seven-year strategy period, setting us on a sustainable footing for the future.

Receipts from Masonic room bookings increased by 12.8% on the previous year, reflecting a return to normal activity levels, post-pandemic.

Net investment income decreased by 12.6% to £2 million, primarily driven by expenditure related to future investment in a number of our

Great Queen Street properties as well as a small reduction in related income. Our trading income has increased by 8.4% to £1.8 million as activity in the on-site shop and café and bar increased, in addition to benefiting from a full year of tour programmes. Revenue from advertisements placed in Freemasonry Today has remained steady. Other receipts comprise income derived from commercial events hire and lodge dining, which increased by 11.6% over 2022.

COSTS

Net of recharge income, operating costs rose by 11.3% to £15.1 million. Most costs were tightly controlled, but were nevertheless impacted by the increasing rates of inflation, particularly affecting energy, insurance and business rates, and by increased levels of IT spend as investment in our membership systems gathered pace.

Project spend in the year was predominantly focused on completing the latest stage of the project to address the problem of

Regent Street disease at Freemasons’ Hall, carrying out urgent remedial works to the Tower, ensuring that we continue to maintain and protect our unique asset for future generations of Freemasons. We have continued to invest in our IT infrastructure to improve security and make our systems more accessible. Project 2023, which is capitalised, will engage with members directly to improve our membership experience and extend the work done as part of project Hermes.

Our overall operating result for the year was a loss of £1.1 million.

OTHER ITEMS

Our financial investments are revalued to market value every year. In 2023 this resulted in an increase of £0.5 million. Conversely, our property portfolio value was reduced by £2.5 million (4.1%). The actuarial valuation of our defined benefit pension scheme continues to show a surplus, thanks mainly to bond yields remaining at historically high levels.

Our balance sheet remains strong, with net assets at £65.7 million. We remain committed to the principle that our ongoing operations should be funded from membership income and projects from investment income, and to ensure we continue to provide good value for our members.

David Bell Grand Treasurer

We could focus on growth and investment without being dominated by the continued impact of the pandemic

ACCOUNTS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2023

Grand Lodge on the Road

Freemasons met in Wales for the September Quarterly Communication (QC) of Grand Lodge –the largest gathering outside London for a century.

With great excitement, more than 1,300 members joined together at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport on 13 September 2023.

During the meeting, Pro Grand Master Jonathan Spence emphasised the importance of dedicating time to annual gatherings and maintaining regular contact with members. He also strongly encouraged face-to-face meetings and emphasised that members will respond with greater enthusiasm to this more personal approach.

He went on to announce that the Strategy Working Party had re-evaluated the four principles of

Freemasonry. The current terms – Integrity, Respect, Friendship and Charity – are seen as inadequate in capturing the organisation’s engagement with communities, and the Working Party believes that a more fitting set of values would be Integrity, Respect, Friendship and Service.

While Charity remains a fundamental aspect of Freemasonry, the organisation recognises that time, skills and a willingness to serve are equally valuable contributions to the communities in which members live, if not more so. Service is proposed to more comprehensively reflect Freemasons’ engagement within their communities.

At the event, the Pro Grand Master said: “It is 100 years since the

FEEDBACK FROM THE EVENT

What an excellent choice for QC away from London. The facilities were first class and for someone with mobility problems, everything was so close – the car park straight into the foyer, the auditorium to the right and the robing room and dining to the left. I enjoyed the presentation on The Members’ Pathway and appreciated singing the Welsh National Anthem in Welsh.

The day was complete with pre-lunch drinks in the sunshine and excellent dining arrangements enjoyed with fellow London Freemasons.

John Hewett, Rangoon and Ormond-Iles Lodge No. 1268

I attended the meeting in Wales and loved the event, having travelled all the way from the District of Madras. It was a great experience meeting members from various Provinces and exchanging views on what we can collectively work on to attract modern men into our order. MS Duleep, Assistant District Grand Master, District of Madras

Attending a Grand Lodge meeting for the first time in my Masonic career, as I approached my installation as Worshipful Master of Thames Lodge No. 1895, was splendid. The sheer brotherliness of the event was wonderful too. Geoff Walsh, Thames Lodge No. 1895

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Grand Lodge on the Road

QC was first held outside London. This is the first occasion a QC has been held in Wales and I am very pleased we are doing this today.

“I’ve mentioned several times in respect of the Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond that this year is one for putting in place the organisation and infrastructure to ensure delivery of our common objectives for a thriving organisation.”

The first time a QC was held outside London was on 5 September 1923 when, under the leadership of the Pro Grand Master, Lord Ampthill, more than 2,200 Freemasons met at St George’s Hall in Liverpool –an historic event requiring an amendment of the Constitutions.

While Grand Lodge meetings outside London were not uncommon in the previous century, they were reserved for special occasions. These included laying foundation stones for important buildings, installing Provincial Grand Masters and addressing Lodge matters.

The idea to hold the September 1923 QC outside London was proposed in May 1921 by the Grand Master, The Duke of Connaught, last surviving son of Queen Victoria. A special committee, chaired by the Board President, Sir Alfred Robbins, supported this initiative. In 1922, a vote in Grand Lodge led to

an amendment of Rule 11, allowing the Grand Master to determine the location of one meeting each year.

After the successful Liverpool meeting in 1923, the United Grand Lodge continued to hold September meetings outside London – in Birmingham (1928), Newcastle (1934), Manchester (1935) and Leeds (1937). Contrary to initial doubts, attendance by Provincial members soared, with 88 per cent of attendees in Liverpool being Provincial Freemasons, compared with only 14 per cent at the London meeting in September 1922.

These meetings coincided with a period of growth in Freemasonry following World War I. These gatherings were not merely novelties; they served as serious meetings of Grand Lodge where significant decisions were made. Donations were given for charitable causes, and historic policy changes were announced: for example, the restoration of Masonic privileges to Freemasons of enemy country birth announced by Lord Ampthill in Birmingham in 1928.

In 1934, Bi-Centenary bars on Centenary jewels were introduced and, in 1937, Grand Lodge declined an appeal to send aid to Abyssinia, citing political reasons.

Apart from their Masonic significance, these meetings helped raise the profile of Freemasonry. Alfred Robbins, with his background in journalism, played a pivotal role in ensuring positive press coverage. For instance, the Liverpool meeting received extensive coverage, with reports of the event in local and national newspapers.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

The 1723 Constitutions

proclamation of values and how Freemasonry thereby became a key vector for Enlightenment principles, propagating ideas that included religious tolerance, meritocracy and self-improvement. It has been visited by many thousands of people, both Masons and members of the general public, and is still up and available to view.

The Grande Loge Nationale Française hosted a commemorative event in Paris in March, that had been meticulously planned and directed by their Grand Master, Bro Jean-Pierrre Rollet and their Grand Chancellor, Bro Gérard Icart (both committed members of the original Zoom planning meetings). As one would expect, the Conference in Paris featured a wide range of stimulating and intellectually challenging talks by French and visiting speakers, who included distinguished university professors, theologians and essayists. The sheer ambition and breadth of the programme may be appreciated by looking at the full proceedings of the Conference that were published by GLNF’s Lodge of Research in their Cahiers Villard de Honnecourt series. The talks, on philosophy, history and spirituality, as well as on the important characters such as Desaguliers and James Anderson, are included in a beautifully published and illustrated booklet. GLNF gave the Tercentenary year a lasting record of the true importance of the Constitutions – far beyond the shores of England – as well as a most enjoyable and social occasion.

Across the Atlantic the Grand Lodge of Washington DC had its festivities in June. Under the title ‘Universal Brotherhood Celebration’, these were held over the St John’s Day weekend. After a reception on Capitol Hill, delegates were taken to the House of the Temple, the Headquarters of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, and one of the most distinctive and famous buildings in DC. There, a memorial plaque was unveiled to commemorate the Tercentenary and the

visit of our own Pro Grand Master and his official delegation.

The inscription includes the words: “Marking the invaluable contribution of the 1723 Constitutions, which enabled Masonic Lodges throughout the American colonies to foster a moral civic culture that sustained America, The Great Experiment.”

Bro Annas Kamara, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Washington DC, also presided over a series of other very special events, including a Universal Lodge Meeting at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia and a 1723 Seminar

The exhibition featured extremely rare copies of the Constitutions once owned by two of Freemasonry’s most important Grand Masters

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

The 1723 Constitutions

held at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, where a wreath-laying ceremony was held at Bro Washington’s own tomb in its grounds. The concluding Banquet Dinner was fittingly joyful and fraternal and it allowed our own Pro Grand Master to bestow much deserved praise and thanks on those who had organised so magnificent a celebration, with Bros Elias and Kamara being particularly prominent. As in France, the souvenir booklet of the DC Tercentenary celebrations is one for the history books and will be lodged in our own Library and Museum.

UGLE’s official celebrations concluded with a conference at Queens’ College, Cambridge, in late September. Organised and run under the auspices of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, our UGLE Lodge of Research, and with the title ‘Inventing the Future: the 1723 Constitutions’, it included a panel of world-leading academic and Masonic speakers, who presented papers across a wide range of subjects and who revealed the context and legacy of the Constitutions. Over 160 delegates attended the event which was opened by the Pro Grand Master and included a dinner co-hosted by the Deputy Grand Master. The Conference papers will be published later this year.

In addition to these setpiece events, more than 20 lectures were given in 2023 across England and Wales and overseas, in Europe and America. They were in response to the widespread interest shown in the

Constitutions, as Brethren grasp (as we hoped they would) their continued relevance today and appreciate how they did indeed help to ‘Invent the Future’. Gratifyingly, demand for presentations on the 1723 Constitutions continues, especially in Europe and the US, with talks being given most recently in Portugal and Belgium, with more planned for later this year.

In those dark COVID days, we had dared to look forward to a series of events which would bring our members together, and educate, entertain and inspire them. I think that we can claim to have succeeded and, perhaps, to have set a new benchmark for promulgating Masonic research among our membership across the world in accessible and enjoyable form.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

A View from the Provinces

A View from the Provinces

KeyProvGM: Provincial Grand Master MetGM: Metropolitan Grand Master GSupt: Grand Superintendent MetGSupt: Metropolitan Grand Superintendent

HERTFORDSHIRE

ProvGM: Neil Connolly

GSupt: James Sharpley

Lodges: 188 Chapters: 68

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

ProvGM: John Clark

GSupt: Graham Dearing Lodges: 116 Chapters: 40

WEST KENT

ProvGM & GSupt: Mark Estaugh Lodges: 178 Chapters: 65

EAST LANCASHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Robert Frankl Lodges: 198 Chapters: 71

WEST LANCASHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Mark Matthews Lodges: 342 Chapters: 115

SHROPSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Roger Pemberton Lodges: 36 Chapters: 13

STAFFORDSHIRE

ProvGM: John Lockley

GSupt: Michele Santopietro Lodges: 96 Chapters: 37

WORCESTERSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Stephen Wyer Lodges: 116 Chapters: 33

WEST WALES

ProvGM & GSupt: James Ross Lodges: 27 Chapters: 12

HEREFORDSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt (including for the Royal Arch): Michael Holland Lodges: 15 Chapters: 30

MONMOUTHSHIRE

ProvGM: Richard Davies

Lodges: 29 Chapters: 14

BRISTOL

ProvGM & GSupt: Jonathan Davis Lodges: 38 Chapters: 14

BERKSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Anthony Howlett-Bolton OBE Lodges: 98 Chapters: 38

LONDON

MetGM & MetGSupt: Warren Duke (to be installed 13 May) Lodges: 1,252 Chapters: 498

SURREY

ProvGM & GSupt: Nicholas Burger Lodges: 253 Chapters: 100

MIDDLESEX

ProvGM & GSupt: David Allan Lodges: 195 Chapters: 69

SOUTH WALES

ProvGM & GSupt: Gerald Rowbottom Lodges: 161 Chapters: 69

SOMERSET

ProvGM & GSupt: Raymond Guthrie Lodges: 89 Chapters: 29

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

ProvGM: Ian Davies (to be installed 25 May)

GSupt: Michael Holland Lodges: 82 Chapters: 30

DURHAM

NORTHUMBERLAND

ProvGM & GSupt: Ian Craigs Lodges: 138 Chapters: 42

CUMBERLAND & WESTMORLAND

ProvGM & GSupt: William Bewley Lodges: 77 Chapters: 28

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

ProvGM: Philip Marshall GSupt: Julian Townsend

Lodges: 86 Chapters: 33

WARWICKSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Philip Hall

Lodges: 156 Chapters: 44

ISLE OF MAN

ProvGM & GSupt: Martin Blackburn Lodges: 19 Chapters: 6

NORTH WALES

ProvGM & GSupt: John Hoult Lodges: 106 Chapters: 32

CHESHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: David Dyson Lodges: 173 Chapters: 74

DEVONSHIRE

ProvGM: Nicholas Ball GSupt: Chris Roach Lodges: 131 Chapters: 53

CORNWALL

ProvGM: David Maskell GSupt: David Pascoe Lodges: 80 Chapters: 30

GUERNSEY & ALDERNEY

ProvGM & GSupt: Keith Read Lodges: 11 Chapters: 6

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024 A View from the Provinces

ProvGM & GSupt: John Thompson

Lodges: 178 Chapters: 54

YORKSHIRE, WEST RIDING

ProvGM & GSupt: James Newman

Lodges: 198 Chapters: 69

YORKSHIRE, NORTH & EAST RIDINGS

ProvGM & GSupt: David Chambers

Lodges: 98 Chapters: 52

LINCOLNSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: David Wheeler

Lodges: 75 Chapters: 33

DERBYSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Ian Copestake

Lodges: 75 Chapters: 30

LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

ProvGM: Peter Kinder

GSupt: Noel Manby

Lodges: 80 Chapters: 27

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: William Dastur Lodges: 30 Chapters: 14

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE & HUNTINGDONSHIRE

ProvGM: Mark Constant GSupt: James Boughton Lodges: 97 Chapters: 28

BEDFORDSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Nicholas Edwards Lodges: 55 Chapters: 20

SUFFOLK

ProvGM & GSupt: Jolyon Berry Lodges: 68 Chapters: 32

NORFOLK

ProvGM & GSupt: Richard Butler

Lodges: 76 Chapters: 25

OXFORDSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: Stephen Tucker

Lodges: 55 Chapters: 19

WILTSHIRE

ProvGM & GSupt: John Reid

Lodges: 44 Chapters: 17

JERSEY

ProvGM & GSupt: Graham Spence

Lodges: 11 Chapters: 7

ProvGM & GSupt: Paul Tarrant Lodges: 307 Chapters: 115

ProvGM & GSupt: Neil Johnstone Lodges: 181 Chapters: 64 ESSEX

SUSSEX

ProvGM & GSupt: Christopher Moore

Lodges: 161 Chapters: 70 EAST KENT

HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT

ProvGM: Jonathan Whitaker, DL GSupt: Stephen Allum Lodges: 255 Chapters: 83

DORSET

ProvGM & GSupt: Stephen James (to be installed on 14 June) Lodges: 49 Chapters: 22

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Strong Foundations

Strong Foundations: Grand Secretary

Having now been in the role of Grand Secretary for just over 18 months it is an appropriate time to provide and update on where we now are on the Strong Foundations element of the Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond.

Last year I said that we would approach the challenge in three ways: firstly, by enhancing the Members’ Experience; secondly, by optimising our Unique Asset of Freemasons’ Hall (FMH) in Great Queen Street; and thirdly, by addressing our organisation at UGLE and forensically challenging our cost base. In doing so, we have reorganised our teams at UGLE specifically around these challenges. This has resulted in a number of changes, including a reduction in the number of members of the Senior Leadership Team to enable us to better focus our efforts and put in place clear accountabilities in line with the One Organisation challenge. The organisation structure has previously been communicated and can be seen at www.ugle.org.uk/ about-us/strategy-freemasonry2022-beyond.

Enhancing our Members’ Experience

This has and remains the core focus

of all of us at UGLE, many of whom are members but many of whom are not. Regardless of which, everyone in the team delights at being able to do whatever they can to make our members feel special – whether that is a smile and a welcome when they enter the building, a helpful and kind Porter or security officer, a well organised event such as Quarterly Communication (QC), a prompt reply to a query, an enjoyable dinner after a meeting or just a coffee and chat in the café and bar. We realise that we do not always get it right, but we are passionate about improving and learning from any issues. I have been delighted with the overwhelming level of compliments and the volume of positive feedback I have received on behalf of all of the team.

The overarching behaviour the team is doing its best to adopt is that of ‘yes, if’ and not ‘no, because’. This was particularly evident when we were posed the question: “Could we hold a QC outside of London?” The easiest answer was no, because we already have our fantastic building at Great Queen Street in which it is our second nature to host QC – and an immense logistical challenge to change for that one meeting. I was, therefore, delighted to see the team come together to plan and deliver a

I was touched to see tears in the eyes of our Welsh Brethren as we bellowed out the Welsh National Anthem in Welsh for the fi rst time in our long history

hugely successful event last September at the International Convention Centre in Newport, Wales. Some 1,300 members made the journey as we met outside London for the first time since the war. There were no top tables – all 1,300 dined together in style and good humour, having been treated to an excellent meeting showcasing fantastic examples of innovation and a commitment to deliver our

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Strong Foundations

Strategy. I was touched to see tears in the eyes of our Welsh Brethren as we bellowed out the Welsh National Anthem in Welsh for what appears to be the first time in our long history. The UGLE team was also ably assisted by teams from Monmouthshire, South Wales and Hertfordshire, all of which came together with one objective – to make this an historic occasion. I was also delighted to see a similar

number of attendees at the March Quarterly Communication, which was a post-COVID-19 record for a regular meeting.

Elsewhere in this Report you will read about a number of other initiatives that are currently being coordinated by UGLE, each with the primary intent of improving the experience of our members. As I said last year, I have been trying to visit as many Lodges as I can within our Constitution. On my visits, there are two common themes that arise – each almost always preceded by “I hope you don’t mind me asking you this, Grand Secretary?” as a gin and tonic is thrust in my hand at the bar after a meeting. The first normally relates to our IT systems and either how complicated or dated they are, or stem from a frustration at being unable to interact with them directly as they can with other membership systems, even down to simply keeping their own personal information updated. I heard first hand a few weeks ago from a Brother who almost missed out on being promoted to Grand Officer because his postal address had not been updated on ADelphi! It is simply not acceptable that an organisation with as many members as ours – and the growth challenge that we have set ourselves – has to rely on cumbersome and outdated technology. Whilst Provinces that have moved on to Hermes have certainly appreciated the improvement, that system still does not meet the needs of the individual member. We have, therefore, launched Project 2023, which is being designed to replace the old technology we have, save money on expensive software

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Strong Foundations

running costs and put our members’ needs at the heart of its design. Given the eye-rolling, and shivers from past experience, I normally receive when I mention these goals, I am extremely keen to point out that I am personally invested in learning from past experiences and ensuring that we absolutely get this right this time. The system will be designed and developed in phases, and functionality will be built and added to over time. This means that rather than risk trying to hit unrealistic deadlines or skipping proper testing, we will ensure that as each enhancement is delivered it works and delivers a benefit. The first release is designed simply to allow members to see and update their personal information and keep a record of future meeting dates. As the system is developed further, we expect to fully decommission ADelphi and Hermes in around three years’ time.

The second question I am increasingly asked is why don’t we do more to align Craft and Royal Arch, or what do we actually mean by One Organisation? As a former Finance Director, I also regularly get asked my opinion on the inefficiency of running both orders separately. Could we not do more to save costs and make it easier for Master Masons to progress and become Companions? I am pleased to report that the Strategy Working Party led by the Pro Grand Master has been very focused on this, and we should expect a number of initiatives over the coming months. The first of these has been to amalgamate the joining fee for Craft and Royal Arch, so that when a Master Mason decides to

Discover More he does not have to pay any further registration fees. The other immediate action has been the decision taken to move the Deputy Grand Master to Second Grand Principal. This has the clear objective of raising the profile of Supreme Grand Chapter and driving the Royal Arch membership challenge from a clear One Organisation perspective. We are also planning a large event next year at Great Queen Street, most probably on a Saturday, for Master Masons and, importantly, Fellow Crafts and Entered Apprentices to experience the ceremony and splendour of a meeting in the Grand Temple – the business of the meeting will be Discovering More.

I’ve particularly appreciated the pulling together of a five-year plan, which now allows us to more efficiently allocate resources

As always, it falls upon our members to make suggestions on how we can further improve your experience and deliver on our Strategy. I am always grateful for any idea or suggestion and can be contacted at grandsecretary@ugle.org.uk. Any feedback on our communications channels is also very welcome. Do you read and value the Freemasonry Today (FMT) magazine? What do you think about the First Rising email? Or are you one of the growing number who download and listen to our very own Craftcast podcast?

Optimising our Unique Asset

This aspect of the Strategy relates to the ongoing care and maintenance of our Unique Asset of Freemasons’ Hall. As the building approaches 100

years old, it will be no surprise that the costs of maintaining it have increased significantly. Last year we addressed the problem of Regent Street disease (RSD) in the Tower entrance. RSD relates to the steel frame architecture used to design and build structures in this part of London last century. The key problem is that one hundred years of water ingress through often minute cracks and fissures has corroded parts of the structure. Solving this in the Tower entrance and ensuring the safety of all our visitors cost us around £1 million last year. We will need to address this elsewhere in our building and likewise consider if there are any enhancements that could be required for the next 100 years of use.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Strong Foundations

Organisation and cost base

We have also consolidated a number of third-party contractors involved in the repair and maintenance of the building and brought a number of services back in house where it made financial sense to do so. Hopefully you will notice continual improvement to the fabric of the building, much visible and some less so. For those who may be interested, you are invited to read the recently published WC strategy!

However, we appreciate that these challenges are not unique to Freemasons’ Hall and the age and repair of Masonic Halls across the Constitution is a concern for the success of our Strategy and the ongoing membership challenge. We will confront this issue over the coming year and look at how we can best address this.

In order to limit the impact of the costs of maintaining our building, we

have created a small team focused on generating commercial income. Clearly Masonic use will always take priority, but we have a Unique Asset in central London with fantastic potential. Whilst we have always been attractive for the film industry to film scenes in, we are also now providing a venue for film crews to use while filming elsewhere in central London. We have recently received a wedding licence and are in the process of negotiating an exclusive contract for catering services. We also hosted the London Summer Event Show, where other event companies showcased their event offering, when we drew a completely new audience to experience the splendour of FMH. We have set a challenging budget for 2024 and I am pleased to say the team are already exceeding this, albeit with three-quarters of the year left to run.

As previously noted, 2023 saw a significant restructuring of the Senior Leadership Team, with the objective of having a small and more accountable team. We are now seeing the benefits of this restructure and have made great strides to be one Coherent Organisation and properly fit for purpose. I would like to thank all my colleagues who have helped in this process – which can be a difficult one – especially when saying goodbye to friends and colleagues, some with many years of service. It is never easy going through a ‘culture change’ and I’ve appreciated everyone’s commitment and enthusiasm as we’ve introduced new ways of working, along with new performance management and continuous improvement processes, and the creation of a five-year plan, which now allows us to more efficiently allocate resources.

We have also been forensically examining our cost base. This has been carried out against the backdrop of unprecedented inflation in our utilities and insurance costs, with these adding an additional £1 million of costs in 2023. This review, coupled with the focus on income generation, has allowed us to keep the increase in dues below inflation and invest in the Members’ Experience. We will continue to face challenges and unforeseen costs, but I am confident we now have a framework to deal with them and the Board can be provided with accurate information to make resource allocation decisions.

In summary, I am pleased to report that we are making good progress on our journey and in supporting the Strategy – but there is still much to do!

Craftcast

Riding high in the podcast charts since its launch at the end of 2022, Craftcast gives both non-members and the initiated real-life insight into all aspects of Freemasonry.

Back in November 2022, a new podcast made its debut. Hosted by three young Freemasons, Craftcast: The Freemasons Podcast set out to explore the fascinating world of all things Freemasonry.

Within 24 hours of that first episode, the podcast was sitting comfortably in the Apple Podcast

UK top 100, as well as the top 20 in the Society and Culture category.

Craftcast is the official podcast of the United Grand Lodge of England, the governing body of Freemasonry in England, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and a number of Districts overseas. In each episode, Shaun Butler (29), James Dalton (32) and Stephen Whatley (22) chat about their experiences and interview

We hope the podcast will educate people about our organisation and encourage them to fi nd out more about Freemasonry

special guests from across UGLE, such as Pro Grand Master Jonathan Spence in episode two of the first season.

Craftcast provides a unique perspective on the Craft through the eyes of younger members. In particular, the podcast aims to address the public perception of Freemasonry by opening up a new channel of communication to talk about all things Masonic with both members and non-members. In the future, the creators hope that new audiences of all ages will engage with Freemasonry and that Craftcast becomes the foremost Freemasonry podcast on the market.

Host Shaun Butler says: “We are delighted to have launched this new project and will be speaking to a variety of guests from across the world of Freemasonry. We hope the podcast will educate people about our organisation and encourage them to find out more about Freemasonry.”

The first series has 10 episodes, featuring interviews and discussions on Freemasonry and young people, as well as social media and common misconceptions about Freemasonry. The second series will be longer and include discussions around topics such as mental health, learning ritual and more special-interest Lodges.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Th riving Membership

Thriving Membership

As UGLE prepares to launch its new online membership system, here are some useful questions and answers from Chief Information Officer Hugh Douglas-Smith to provide you with an overview on everything you need to know about Project 2023.

Early in 2023, a steering group was set up and work started on the design of what has become known as Project 2023. In the summer, with a specification written, work was agreed by the Board of General Purposes and development commenced. Phase 1 of that development is now nearing completion and plans for launch around Easter time are being advanced. The new system will comprise both a website and a smartphone app to engage with and put members directly in control of their own data.

How will this system be rolled out?

Project 2023 (or whatever is chosen as its new name) will be rolled out in phases, with two major releases or phases each year, and the new system coexisting and communicating with ADelphi and

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Th riving Membership

be available with the ability to investigate data in a more comprehensive way.

Will it be available on members’ phones?

Yes, either as a phone app or via a website. Some features will only be available on the web, but they are aimed more towards the admin user. In general, we want to make this accessible to all.

So if this is available to everyone, are there any security risks?

We take our responsibilities to protect our members’ data very seriously and have designed this system to ensure that we meet all of our obligations under GDPR.

There is, therefore, a process that each member will need to go through in order to create

their account and be able to use the system. We have made this as intuitive as possible, but we have to ensure we keep data safe. There will be occasions when an automatic match is not possible, and in these cases the local Provincial/District office will be notified to help verify your details. Ensuring your ADelphi email address matches the one you use to register will greatly assist.

Do you have any advice for members to ensure they can use the app easily?

We will need to match the data they provide on registration with those we already hold, so if their Hermes/ ADelphi data is up to date, they should be automatically recognised. I would urge all members to advise their Lodge

Secretaries or Chapter Scribes E of their current email address and other contact details and for these to be either entered into Hermes or reported up to their local offices to be updated on ADelphi.

It sounds like an exciting future. What’s next?

Phase 1 is just the start. We  have plans for a great many new features and functions, each one seeking to improve our communications, further engage with our members, report accurate and up-to-date membership data to our regional offices and support our Strategy. I urge anyone who has ideas to let us know. We have a feature list that is constantly being updated and prioritised – we really need to know what our members think.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Discover More in the Royal Arch

Discover More in the Royal Arch

The Discover More booklet, produced by the Supreme Grand Chapter, is designed to introduce Master Masons and others to the Royal Arch. It has been created by a number of Royal Arch Companions, and extensive work has gone into identifying the key messaging. It is also being shared with Provinces for distribution in order to maximise its use. So far, take-up has been superb.

The new Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and Beyond makes it clear that we are one organisation and reinforces the indissoluble link between the Craft and the Royal Arch. When the Antients and Moderns Grand Lodges came together to form the

United Grand Lodge of England in 1813, they declared that ‘Pure Antient Masonry’ consists of three degrees: the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the Master Mason, including the Royal Arch. This declaration still stands at the front of our Book of Constitutions and means there are four parts to a Freemason’s journey. For historical reasons, the first three are governed by UGLE, while the Royal Arch is governed by the

Supreme Grand Chapter of England. But in real terms, this represents one journey through one organisation.

Because of this link, our Grand Master automatically serves as the First Grand Principal in the Royal Arch, and many other senior roles are also shared. This connection makes English Freemasonry unique around the world and represents an important part of our history and heritage.

The booklet, produced by the Supreme Grand Chapter, is designed to introduce Master Masons and others to the Royal Arch

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Community Engagement

Community Engagement

Across our Provinces and Districts, Freemasons dedicate their time to helping those around them and supporting the communities in which they live. In this section, we share some examples of how Service is a key part of Freemasonry.

CHESHIRE

Freemasons in Cheshire showcased their green-fingered skills when they took part in activities to help maintain a tranquil green space

Cheshire

Devonshire

in Runcorn. The Green was previously a pub football pitch and a potato field, and was turned into a serene oasis in 2000. It serves as a recreational space and a venue for village events. In commemoration of the Coronation, volunteers planted heritage trees, including a cherry and rowan tree for The Queen’s Green Canopy.

DEVONSHIRE

Freemasons in Devon got their

hands dirty and organised a Clean for the King initiative. Okehampton Freemasons teamed up with local community organisation the Okement Rivers Improvement Group (ORIG) to tidy up litter around the town.

GIBRALTAR

In the wake of the emergency caused by the earthquake in Morocco, Gibraltar Freemasons were quick to react, helping the relief effort and providing essential

aid to those in need. Just four days later, Gibraltar Freemasons had donated £6,630 to the Straits of Gibraltar Association Trust. This money contributed to a joint humanitarian mission headed by the local charity, consisting of emergency medical response and disaster relief equipment and expertise.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Gloucestershire’s Project 21 Imaging Appeal was developed over two

Her ordshire

Gloucestershire

Gibraltar

Herefordshire

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Community Engagement

years with the aim of supplying essential mobile diagnostic equipment to hospitals across the Province. The amount donated by Gloucestershire Freemasons was £338,506, a sum achieved in just 18 months of the planned 24-month duration of the appeal. This enabled the purchase of 16 units of imaging equipment for the region’s Southmead, Cheltenham and Gloucester hospitals.

HEREFORDSHIRE

Eastnor Lodge members in the Province of Herefordshire decided to set themselves the challenge of hiking up Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon over three days in June to raise money for local charities: the Ledbury Food Bank, which helps families in hardship; and We Are Farming Minds, which helps to break the stigma

surrounding mental health in the farming community.

HERTFORDSHIRE

In June, the Heritage Foundation organised a volunteer day to pick up litter around the Greenway in Letchworth. This was supported by Freemasons of Hertfordshire, including Provincial Grand Master Neil Connolly, as well as members of the Fleet House Light Blues Club, other local Lodges and members of the community.

JERSEY

Jersey Freemasons took part in the Family Nursing and Home Care charity’s Colour Run Festival for the second year in succession. The Festival is a celebration of life for the whole family and raises funds for the costs of a palliative care nurse dedicated to terminally ill children.

Leicestershire and Rutland

North Wales

Jersey

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND

In the spirit of the King’s Christmas speech, several members of Wyggeston Lodge No. 3448 and the Universities Scheme Lodge for Leicester University volunteered at Pie Nights, a weekly event held at the Open Hands Compassion Centre in Leicester to provide food for homeless people and those in need.

NORTH WALES

Last June, RAF Valley personnel established an Ambulance CoResponders Team to assist the Welsh Ambulance Service and NHS Trust in responding quickly to emergencies across Ynys Mon and, when called upon, part of the mainland, including Bangor. Today this volunteer service has come of age with the handover of its own dedicated emergency response vehicle, donated by North Wales Freemasons at a cost of £11,000.

SOMERSET

On a sunny day in June, a group of Somerset Freemasons partnered with the Somerset Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) on their inaugural bike ride. Joined by DofE participants from Haygrove School and King’s College, they took on a 30-mile cycle ride along the Bridgwater and Taunton canal.

WEST WALES

West Wales Freemasons were pleased to donate a bi-ski chariot worth £8,500 to the Pembrey branch of Ski4All Wales. The original request came via the Peter Drewett Daylight Lodge of Progress, which also supported the appeal financially.

West Wales

Somerset

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Introducing Building Together

from different backgrounds whom you wouldn’t usually meet.

We are delighted to share the new narrative for the United Grand Lodge of England – consisting of several elements but united under the headline of Building Together, a clear reference to Freemasonry’s historical heritage.

The tagline for the narrative reads:

Enabling personal growth, building friendships and supporting communities, through timeless tradition.

The explanation of Why Freemasonry? reads:

Freemasonry offers the opportunity to engage with like-minded people

Freemasons actively engage in charitable events and activities. They dedicate time, resources and skills to support communities by being part of something that makes a difference to the world.

It provides an opportunity to explore your potential through improved self-knowledge and confidence on an enduring foundation of ethical and moral values.

Those values, upheld by its members, offer a framework for making better choices in life and living a more fulfilling and purposeful existence.

The core values of the organisation have also been updated and now read:

INTEGRITY

Honesty, trustworthiness, honour, reliability and conscientiousness form the foundation of a virtuous character. They foster trust, maintain integrity and demonstrate commitment, ultimately leading to a life of strong principles and dependable actions.

Introducing

FRIENDSHIP

Freemasonry gives members many opportunities to make a wide circle of friends for life who share common interests and values. It provides a bond of friendship and sense of belonging. This promotes a feeling of enjoyment and fulfilment.

RESPECT

From its earliest days, Freemasonry has respected the beliefs of its members. It promotes an environment where diversity is valued. It is a space where different beliefs and backgrounds converge, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity, tolerance and harmony.

SERVICE

Whether participating in events, fundraising for a charitable cause or volunteering for public or community organisations, service is at the very heart of Freemasonry. Our members make valuable contributions by donating time, resources and skills.

Building Together headline – explanation

The Building Together headline has obvious links to our historical links to stonemasons and were particularly successful when used in the recent UGLE National Digital Marketing Campaign. Knowing this, it made sense for this work to use this headline.

Tagline – explanation

It is impossible for us to encompass every reason that a member could have for becoming a Freemason –but this tagline demonstrates some of the most popular reasons as discovered through extensive surveying of members. Namely,

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024

Introducing Building Together

Freemasonry is where different beliefs and backgrounds converge, fostering inclusivity, tolerance and harmony

personal growth as an individual, the friendships and relationships you gain, the amazing work conducted within our communities to help those in need – all entwined with timeless traditions that we celebrate and enjoy.

Why Freemasonry? –explanation

As we continue to communicate about Freemasonry in new and interesting ways, the chances of being asked about being a Freemason will increase. As such, we encourage members to have

some thoughts on this prepared for when the question is asked. To assist with this, we have created some text you can use to describe why you enjoy your Freemasonry.

Core values – explanation

You may already be aware of the four core values of the United Grand Lodge of England – namely Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Service. It was announced at the Quarterly Communication in September 2023 that Charity would be replaced with Service as a core value, to better represent the

BROADENING THE MEMBERSHIP

When the Pro Grand Master launched the Strategy for Freemasonry, 2022 and Beyond at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge meeting in December 2022, he announced that: “Over the next seven years, we will enhance our reputation as a thriving organisation that people aspire to join and broaden our membership among all age groups.”

It was with this important aim in mind that it was decided that attention needed to be given to how UGLE communicates about itself. What language do we use to describe those particular elements of our Craft that for so long has attracted members from across all levels of society –unrestricted by class, race or religion?

This project was of particular importance, as we continue to expand

the number of ways through which we communicate with the public and embrace the ever-changing landscape of new technologies and communication methods.

It was decided that the Members’ Pathway Working Party would be responsible for taking on this challenge, and from that, a small group was chosen to lead on the project.

Overseen by Assistant Grand Master

Steven Varley and group Chairman Ian Copestake (Provincial Grand Master, Derbyshire), the team was made up of a diverse group of Freemasons, with various backgrounds and levels of experience within the Craft:

Ian Copestake – Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire and Chairman of the Members’ Pathway Working Party

Shaun Butler – Director of Membership

amazing array of work undertaken by Freemasons, including the many million hours of volunteering every year. In addition to this change, we have also added in some short overviews of why these values are so closely matched to Freemasonry.

What will this narrative be used for?

This language and text will now be used across all UGLE external communication channels and on marketing materials. It is designed to present the best elements of Freemasonry and the most compelling reasons for someone to become a Freemason.

It is both an attraction and retention tool, created to provide an enticing and engaging narrative of Freemasonry to both those joining and to keep those that are already members.

and Communications at United Grand Lodge of England

Chris Hirst – Project Manager of the Members’ Pathway and Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London Members’ Pathway Representative

Mark Costelloe – Assistant Provincial Grand Master of East Kent and RCG 8 Members’ Pathway Representative

In addition, the group chose to invite John Roscoe to assist with the project. As a psychologist with a wealth of experience, John would play a vital role in the testing of the work with members, with the intention of judging reactions and advising amendments. The group were determined that this project would be properly surveyed and ‘road-tested’ with the right audiences – something that had been lacking from other iterations of the project.

ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024 Glossary

Glossary

Brethren/Brother/Bro

A Freemason becomes known as a Brother on joining, e.g. ‘Brother Smith’, abbreviated to ‘Bro Smith’ when written.

Chapters

Units in the Royal Arch, Chapters are presided over jointly by three Principals, and are organised as a Metropolitan area or in Provinces (roughly based on the old county boundaries), each with a local Grand Superintendent in charge.

District Grand Lodge

The equivalent of a Provincial Grand Lodge, but in one of UGLE’s overseas Districts, headed by a District Grand Master (DistGM).

Exaltation

The ceremony at which a Master Mason is made a member of the Royal Arch.

Freemasons’ Hall/FMH

The headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England – a Grade II* listed art deco building in Covent Garden, London.

Grand Lodge/United Grand Lodge of England/UGLE

The United Grand Lodge of England (‘Grand Lodge’ or UGLE) is the governing body for Freemasons in England, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and a number of Districts and Groups overseas. The Grand Lodge is a representative body of all private Lodges and Grand Officers and Past Grand Officers, with The Grand Master at its head. The

Grand Lodge meets four times a year in a Quarterly Communication to enact laws and regulations and to vote on the administrative agenda required to run the organisation.

Grand Master

The most senior Freemason in the constitution, elected annually by Grand Lodge. The Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England is HRH The Duke of Kent.

Grand Officers

Officers in Grand Lodge are called ‘Grand’, e.g. The Grand Master, the Grand Treasurer. After retiring from active positions they are called ‘Past’ Grand Treasurer etc.

Initiation

The ceremony at which a candidate (‘Initiate’) is made a Freemason.

Installation

The ceremony at which a Freemason is made the Master of his Lodge.

Master Mason

A Freemason who has been through all three basic ceremonies of Freemasonry.

Masonic Charitable Foundation/MCF

The Freemasons’ Charity, UGLE’s primary charitable grant-giving body.

Metropolitan Grand Lodge

The administrative body overseeing London Lodges. It is headed by the Metropolitan Grand Master.

Museum

The Museum of Freemasonry, located at FMH and containing UGLE’s archives and collection of artefacts.

Lodge

The basic unit in which Freemasons meet. To be regular it must have a Warrant or Charter from a Grand Lodge. It is sometimes referred to as a Private Lodge.

Prestonian Lecture

An official annual lecture sponsored by UGLE and delivered in its Lodges.

Pro Grand Master

If The Grand Master is a member of the Royal Family, he is entitled to appoint a Pro Grand Master to stand in for him on most occasions.

Provincial Grand Lodge

The administrative body overseeing Lodges in a particular county or area. It is headed by a Provincial Grand Master (ProvGM).

Regional Communications Group

Regional Communication Groups (RCGs) are groups of Provinces that have been divided into 10 geographical clusters to provide a means for Provincial Rulers to meet regularly and share ideas and good practice.

Supreme Grand Chapter

The Supreme Grand Chapter of England is the governing body of Royal Arch Masons in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Overseas, there are 32 Districts and four Groups.