On Thursday, 26^th June 2025, our annual Service Affiliates’ Lunch once again took place at the Union Jack Club.  The Company has six service affiliates: The Royal Air Force (RAF) Regiment (affiliated in 2004); The Royal Military Police (affiliated in 2007); The RAF Police (affiliated in 2009); 3 Military Intelligence Battalion (3 MI Bn) (affiliated in 2012); His Majesty’s Ship (HMS) MEDWAY (affiliated in 2018); 35 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search) (affiliated in 2021)

The lunch honours our Affiliates’ and the relationship they have with our Company. Each year the lunch is hosted by a different Affiliate and this year it was the turn of 3 MI Bn. 

Fifty-eight attended the lunch, with the figure made up of members, guests and representatives of all six Affiliates.  All were welcomed to a drink’s reception, after which the Master Susan Jones, Immediate Past Master Michael Thwaites, Senior Warden Wes Harper, Middle Warden Andrew Knights, Junior Warden David Lee and principal guests were clapped into the Gascoigne Room.  Grace was then given by the Clerk, Adrienne Harper.  A 3-course lunch, accompanied by good wines and port, was enjoyed, after which The Master toasted The King. 

The Master welcomed everyone to the lunch and was delighted to see representation from all of our Affiliates.  The Master thanked Axis Communications, who once again generously supported the lunch. 

The Beadle read out the Citations for the awards winners from the RMP (Sergeant Cutler), RAF Police (Flight Sergeant Maltman), 3MI (Lance Corporal Thorner), HMS MEDWAY (Petty Officer Evans) and 35 Engr Regt (Corporal Griffith-Thompson) in turn, and the winners were presented with their Award and/or Certificate.

The Guest Speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Shepherd, Commanding Officer of 3 MI Bn, gave a very informative speech about 3MI Bn and its current support to ongoing UK military operations.  Then, in time honoured fashion, he asked all present to toast the Company, “May it flourish root and branch forever”.

The Master thanked Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd for an illuminating speech and then proposed the final toast, to all the guests. Before retiring to the bar, all present showed their appreciation to the UJC and its staff for putting on a fantastic lunch. 

This will be the final year that the lunch will be named The Service Affiliates’ Lunch, as from 2026 it will be known as the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals Awards Lunch. It is hoped that as many members as possible will be in attendance in 2026 to once again witness the presentation of awards to our Service Affiliates.