Wardens
The chief officer of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers is the Prime Warden. They are supported by an Upper and Under Warden. The Company had only a Prime Warden and a Junior Warden until 1998, when it was felt that due to the growing demands on the Prime Warden, it would be better to have two Wardens supporting them and to give the Prime Warden an extra year in which to learn and understand their role.
The Wardens are elected each year at the July Court meeting and installed in October. Installation Day begins with a Service of Thanksgiving at our Guild Church of St. Margaret Pattens. We then move to a Livery Hall for lunch and the installation of the Wardens for the forthcoming year.
The Basketmakers’ Company is one of eight London Livery Companies to have a Prime Warden. The others are the Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Dyers, Saddlers, Blacksmiths, Shipwrights and Haberdashers. All the other Companies have a Master, with the exception of the Weavers, who have an Upper Bailiff. The Basketmakers appear to have had an Upper Warden as their main officer from their foundation until 1846, when it was decided to change the title to Prime Warden. No reason is given for this change.
Wardens
2025 - 2026
Mark Cooper
Prime Warden
Mark Cooper - Prime Warden 2025-2026
Mark’s background was initially in academia having started his career lecturing in and teaching modern European languages. After a period working and lecturing in central France, Mark carved his career in Learning and Development working for a series of large construction and facilities companies, becoming Director of People Development for an International construction and services company in 2011. In 2014, he set up his own business offering training and consultancy services to leadership and executive teams in the UK, Europe and Middle East.
Mark joined the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers in 1997 and has served as a steward, Chairman of the Membership Committee and secretary to the 450th Anniversary Committee. He is our liaison to our RN affiliate, HMS Richmond. He is also the secretary of the Basketmakers Lodge. Mark holds a BA(Hons) in Modern Languages from Bristol University.
He is married to Clare.
Hugh Thomas
Upper Warden
Hugh Thomas - Upper Warden 2025-2026
Hugh "emigrated" from Wales in 1977 to read law in London, and stayed. He qualified as a barrister in 1986 and then developed a successful career in the City, specialising in UK and global financial services laws and regulations, anti-money laundering and data protection laws. He has worked for some of the largest UK and global banks and was able to visit and advise in many locations in Europe and globally. In addition, Hugh has worked as an advisor in the world of politics in Westminster and, until BREXIT, in the European Parliament for a major political party.
In 2006, Hugh was ordained a priest in the Church of England and, since 2008, has continued to work part-time as a Compliance Officer or advisor for a variety of financial services firms in London. He is, as far as can be established, the first cleric to be elected as a warden of the Company.
Hugh's first connection to the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers was in 2008 when he was appointed priest at our Guild Church of St Margaret Pattens. He was then appointed as the Company's chaplain, which role he continued for over 7 years. As a City lawyer and compliance officer, Hugh was able to leverage his City experience to serve in a number of City churches until he ventured to Tottenham, West Hampstead and is currently the vicar of the ancient church of Hurst in Berkshire (with good train links to the City !).
Sasha Keir
Under Warden
Sasha Keir - Under Warden 2025-2026
Educated in Scotland, Sasha earned a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Edinburgh. A lifelong interest in costume led to three years at Covent Garden, creating for both the ballet and opera companies, before founding a small business in Clerkenwell in 1983.
Now based in Shoreditch, The Costume Studio designs and produces costumes for productions around the world.
Sasha is married with one daughter, practises Tai Chi, and enjoys cruising the Inland Waterways aboard her narrowboat, Galatea..