The Honourable Company Of Master Mariners And Howard Leopold Davis Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approx. £210,000 (expenditure 2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: £250 - Full MSc scholarship (£20,000+)
• Geographic Focus: UK (British Merchant Navy personnel)
• Charity Number: 1172234

Contact Details

General Enquiries:

• Website: www.hcmm.org.uk
• Phone: 020 7836 8179
• Email: clerk@hcmm.org.uk
• Address: HQS Wellington, Victoria Embankment, London, WC2R 2PN

Specific Support:

• Education & Outreach Manager (Mrs Emma Williams): eom@hcmm.org.uk - Handles charity enquiries, mentee membership matters
• The Clerk (Mr Mike Jenkins): clerk@hcmm.org.uk - General matters
• Note: Honorary Almoner position currently vacant

For Welfare Support:

First contact: Merchant Navy Welfare Board

• Address: 8 Cumberland Place, Southampton, Hants SO15 2BH
• Phone: 02380 337799
• Email: enquiries@mnwb.org.uk

Overview

The Honourable Company of Master Mariners and Howard Leopold Davis Charity (registered 2017, charity number 1172234) was established through the amalgamation of four historic maritime funds: the London Maritime Institution, The Benevolent Fund of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, The Education Fund of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, and The Howard Leopold Davis Fund. The charity operates with total annual expenditure of approximately £210,000, supporting both benevolent and educational purposes for British Merchant Navy personnel. As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation connected to one of London's historic livery companies, the charity uniquely combines welfare support for maritime officers experiencing hardship with comprehensive educational programmes including mentoring, awards, and scholarships for those serving or intending to serve in the Merchant Navy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Educational Support:

• OOW Certificate Award: £250 upon successful completion of Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency
• MSc Scholarship: Full scholarship for UK students to study MSc in Maritime Operations and Management at City, University of London (applicants must hold Class 1 licence with years of experience as master on deep-sea vessel)
• General Education Grants: Available for persons serving or intending to serve in the Merchant Navy for education, instruction and training purposes

Benevolent Support:

• Individual welfare grants for Master Mariners and Deck Officers of the British Merchant Navy and their families experiencing financial hardship, sickness, disability, or effects of old age
• Amounts not publicly specified; applications typically processed through Merchant Navy Welfare Board

Mentoring Scheme Benefits:

• Free mentoring programme for cadets and junior officers
• Access to professional development and networking
• Participation in Young Officers Committee
• Optional annual essay competition

Priority Areas

Who They Fund:

• British Merchant Navy Navigating Officers (Master Mariners and Deck Officers)
• Families and dependents of qualifying officers
• Cadets and those intending to serve in the Merchant Navy
• Individuals pursuing maritime education and training
• Those with interest in seamanship or sail training

Specific Focus:

• Financial hardship relief for maritime officers
• Career development and professional qualifications
• Maritime education and training programmes
• Supporting key career milestones (e.g., OOW certification)
• Advanced postgraduate maritime education

What They Don't Fund

• Non-UK seafarers (limited to British Merchant Navy personnel)
• Non-maritime professions
• Organizations rather than individuals (for benevolent support)
• Retrospective funding for completed courses

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Governance and Leadership

Patron: HRH The Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (Master of the Company)

Deputy Master: Mr. M.B. Burrow DL - Background in marine engineering and international trading; chairs Greenwich, Deptford and Rotherhithe Sea Cadets

Senior Warden: Commodore D.L. Lamb - Retired Royal Fleet Auxiliary professional; involved in Chartered Master Mariner Registration Authority

Governance Structure:

• 10 Trustees
• Court consisting of Master, Deputy Master, 5 Wardens, Immediate Past Master, 3 past masters, and 21 elected Assistants
• Court meets quarterly on HQS Wellington
• 166 Volunteers supporting the charity's work
• Day-to-day management by the Clerk (Chief Executive)

Royal Heritage: The Company has had several Royal Past Masters including HRH The Princess Royal, HRH Charles (Prince of Wales), and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. King George V granted the honour of the style “Honourable” rather than “Worshipful” in 1928.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Educational Grants:

• Contact the Education & Outreach Manager (eom@hcmm.org.uk) for general education funding enquiries
• For OOW Certificate Award (£250): Automatically awarded upon completion through the mentoring scheme
• For MSc Scholarship: Contact HCMM directly; must demonstrate Class 1 licence and experience as master on deep-sea vessel
• For mentoring scheme membership: Apply online through HCMM website; short interview with Education & Outreach Manager; Declaration Ceremony at HQS Wellington upon approval

Benevolent Support:

• First contact: Merchant Navy Welfare Board (enquiries@mnwb.org.uk, 02380 337799)
• Alternative: Local Sailors, Soldiers and Air Force Association (SSAFA)
• For HCMM Members specifically: Write to The Clerk at the address above

Application Method: Rolling basis through designated referral organizations for welfare; direct application for education programmes

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. Contact the relevant department for estimated timelines.

Success Rates

Not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Given the nature of benevolent support, individuals may apply when circumstances require assistance.

Application Success Factors

For Educational Grants:

• Active participation in the Merchant Navy or clear intention to serve
• Demonstrable commitment to maritime career development
• For MSc scholarship: holding Class 1 licence with substantial experience at master level
• Engagement with HCMM mentoring scheme and activities increases visibility

For Benevolent Support:

• Genuine financial need arising from hardship, sickness, disability, or old age
• Status as Master Mariner or Deck Officer of British Merchant Navy
• Applications through established maritime welfare channels (MNWB, SSAFA) appear to be preferred route
• HCMM members may have more direct access to support

General Factors:

• Clear connection to British Merchant Navy
• Well-documented need or qualification requirements
• Engaging with the wider HCMM community through events, mentoring, and committees
• For cadets: regular contact with mentor, quarterly progress reports, attendance at HCMM events

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Dual purpose charity: Provides both welfare support and educational funding - ensure you're applying through correct channel
• Referral system for welfare: Benevolent support typically accessed through Merchant Navy Welfare Board or SSAFA rather than direct application
• Education pathway well-defined: Clear programmes including £250 OOW awards and prestigious MSc scholarships for qualified candidates
• Mentoring scheme is gateway: Joining the free mentoring scheme provides access to awards, networking, and demonstrates commitment to maritime career
• Royal and historic prestige: Connected to historic City of London livery company with Royal patronage, indicating long-term stability
• Limited to British Merchant Navy: Geographic and sector restrictions are strict - must be UK personnel in merchant maritime sector
• No public application portal: Applications require direct contact or referral through partner organizations

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - THE HONOURABLE COMPANY OF MASTER MARINERS AND HOWARD LEOPOLD DAVIS CHARITY (1172234), accessed 28 December 2024

https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1172234&subid=0

1. The Honourable Company of Master Mariners - Philanthropy page, accessed 28 December 2024

https://www.hcmm.org.uk/philanthropy

1. The Honourable Company of Master Mariners - Education & Training Role, accessed 28 December 2024

https://www.hcmm.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/education-training-role

1. The Honourable Company of Master Mariners - Mentoring Scheme, accessed 28 December 2024

https://www.hcmm.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/our-mentoring-scheme

1. The Honourable Company of Master Mariners - Governance, accessed 28 December 2024

https://www.hcmm.org.uk/about-us/our-company/governance

1. The Honourable Company of Master Mariners - Staff, accessed 28 December 2024

https://www.hcmm.org.uk/about-us/our-company/staff

1. City, University of London - HCMM Scholarship document, accessed 28 December 2024

https://www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/481776/Hon-Com-MM-Scholarship.pdf