UGLE - Key Persons
Anna joined UGLE as the Finance Director in August 2021. Prior to this, she held a number of senior finance roles within the media sector.
Claire Bastin - Chief Commercial Officer
Job Titles:
- Commercial Director
- Director of Commercial and Hospitality Operations
Claire Bastin joined UGLE in November 2022 as Commercial Director. Before this, Claire was Head of Events at the Royal Museums of Greenwich where she managed events and hospitality for the National Maritime Museum, Cutty Sark, Queen's House, Royal Observatory and Planetarium. Prior to this, Claire was part of the project team to open the brand new Postal Museum and Mail Rail where she implemented a commercial strategy for the retail, events and hospitality business areas. Claire was also a Chair for Visit Greenwich Events Strategy Group.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire North and East Ridings Was Interviewed by Antony Collins on BBC Tees to Talk about the Prince Philip Being a Freemason
David Chambers, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire North and East Ridings was interviewed by Antony Collins on BBC Tees to talk about the Prince Philip being a Freemason.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Chief Executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, Gave an Interview to Talk about Prince Philip Being a Freemason for
- Grand Secretary
CEO and Grand Secretary David Staples is interviewed by Christopher Hope for Chopper's Politics Podcast where he spoke about the work being undertaken by Freemasons during the Covid-19 pandemic - listen from 36 minutes.
David Staples, Chief Executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, gave an interview to talk about Prince Philip being a Freemason for more than 60 years.
David Staples gave an interview to BBC News regarding the passing of Prince Philip.
David Staples was interviewed by Salford Radio. He explained about the inaugural celebration of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers' Day is set to take place on 5 July 2021, with Freemasons leading the event.
Dr David Staples - chief executive of the United Grand Lodge of England - talks about the Freemasonry organisation publishing its first ever annual report.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire North and East Ridings Was Interviewed by Antony Collins on BBC Tees to Talk about the Prince Philip Being a Freemason
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Kent were first cousins through their fathers, King George VI, and Prince George, Duke of Kent. His father, who was Grand Master from 1939 until 1942, was the fourth son of King George V. His mother Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark was also a first cousin of the Queen's husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, making him both a second cousin and first cousin once removed to King Charles III. He is currently 40th in the line of succession to the throne.
The Duke of Kent was initiated as a Freemason in Royal Alpha Lodge No. 16 in London on 16 December 1963. He completed his Second Degree on 30 January 1964 and his Third Degree on 5 June that same year, and served as Master of the Lodge in 1965.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
Job Titles:
- Director of the Searchers
Job Titles:
- President of the Board of General Purposes
Job Titles:
- Director of Building Services
Job Titles:
- Director of Membership and Communications
Shaun Butler was born in 1993 and joined UGLE in 2017 where he is now Director of Membership and Communications. He is a member of Letchworth Lodge No. 3505 and Lodge Sine Nomine No. 10,000 - having been initiated into Greenwich Meridian Lodge No. 6791 in 2015.
Sir David Wootton was born in 1950 and educated at Bradford Grammar School and Jesus College, Cambridge.
He became a partner in an international law firm in 1979, specialising in corporate transactions and corporate governance.
Having a strong interest in the governance of the City of London, he was elected to Common Council in 2002 as Member for the Ward of Farringdon Within, and subsequently elected as Alderman for the Ward of Langbourn in 2005. Sir David served as Lord Mayor of London for 2011-12.
Sir David became a Freemason in 1975 when he was initiated into Argonauts Lodge No. 2243, a rowing Lodge that meets in London.
He served as Metropolitan Senior Grand Warden in 2007, and was promoted to Past Grand Sword Bearer in 2012, before his appointment as Assistant Grand Master on 12 March 2014. Sir David was appointed as Deputy Grand Master in 2022.
Sir David is also President of UGLE's Universities Scheme.
Steven Varley was born in Derby in 1953 and educated at Denstone College and Liverpool University where he read Law.
He married in 1988 and has two grown-up children.
On graduating, and qualifying as a solicitor, he practiced in Derby and Nottingham, initially in all aspects of criminal law including legal aid then specialising in professional misconduct, regulatory and disciplinary work eventually becoming senior partner of his firm. He retired in 2018.
Steven was a Governor and Chair of Governors for the Denstone College Preparatory School for many years and is a Fellow of the Woodard Corporation. In his spare time, he rowed and played senior rugby for Derby, New Brighton, Nottingham, and the combined county sides of Notts, Lincs and Derbys (Three Counties). He still retains a keen interest in rugby, is a Vice President of Derby Rugby Club and heavily involved with the Derby Bucks Mixed Ability Rugby Squad.
He was initiated into the St Werburga Lodge No 4147 in Derby on 30th December 1983 by his father who had also been initiated into the Lodge by his father. Steven's grandfather was the fourth initiate into St Werburga Lodge in the first year of its existence. In 2021, Steven had the great privilege of presiding over the Lodge's delayed Centenary.
In 2015 Steven was appointed Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire. He was appointed to the Board of General Purposes by the Grand Master in September 2020 and is also a member of the Membership Working Party, the GMCCC Working Party and chairs the Pathway Working Party.
Both before and during his tenure as PGM, he has been an active supporter and advocate for the needs of disadvantaged and disabled children, men and women and carers. This is an interest and commitment close to his heart.
He was appointed as an Assistant Grand Master in 2023.