On 22 April 2026, Richard Galbraith became the latest Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters to hold the position of President of the Institute of Carpenters (IOC).
Richard is the 15th President since the IOC was formed in 1890, and succeeds Geoff Rhodes, who had held the Presidency since 2016.
Speaking at Carpenters’ Hall, London, Richard addressed the audience by saying:
“My own connection to the craft runs deep. My family’s involvement in timber and construction can be traced back to the early seventeenth century. In the mid-nineteenth century, my great-great-grandfather—working in the same era as Thomas Cubitt—founded John Galbraith & Son in Holloway. The business later moved through Camberwell to the City of London, and operated a timber wharf at Millwall Docks. For generations, my family has quite literally brought timber to life.”
He added:
“In recent years, like many professional bodies connected to the construction trades, the Institute has been buffeted by external pressures—economic, regulatory, and cultural. In some respects, we have been blown off course.
We must be clear about our purpose. The primary role of any professional body is to uphold the highest standards of technical competence and ethical conduct, always in the public interest. That responsibility rests not in abstract policy, but in the conduct and capability of our members.”
We offer a warm welcome to Richard in his new role.
