The Merchant Taylors' Company origins are rooted in the tailoring trade. Originally known as the The Fraternity of St John the Baptist of Tailors and Linen-Armourers it received its first royal charter in 1327.

The Company's links across education, the tailoring trade and related industries, and the City of London are rich and far-reaching. Constantly rekindled through events, networks and shared-interest initiatives, our current activities in this area include:

• Membership of a City of London and Liveries Education Network that shares information and promotes opportunities, such as the London Careers Festival and governance development, for the schools and institutions associated with network members
• Support for the Golden Shears competition – dubbed the 'Oscars of the tailoring world' – Financial Times, this competition for UK-wide tailoring and fashion students and apprentices celebrates innovation, creativity and daring with the highest level of skill.
• Our City of London Stream of grant funding.
• Membership of an informal Livery Textiles Group which seeks to build links across the education and textiles worlds and is currently supporting the UK Fashion & Textile Association to develop a careers-focused website for young people and a conference for the manufacturers, designers, makers and retailers on sustainability in their trades.