Duncan Couper – Assistant Clerk

Duncan was a a hotelier by trade, running small boutique hotels, before he joined the Company.

From 1990-2001, he was at Dukes Hotel in St James’s London running reception and front of house. A privately owned hotel with 90 bedrooms and world famous for its bar and the famous authentic Dry Martini cocktails which are served at your table in front of you. Worked as Deputy Manager before obtaining promotion within the group.

From 2001-2006, Duncan was General Manager of the Franklin Hotel in Knightsbridge. The sister hotel to Dukes, overlooking Egerton Gardens, with 47 bedrooms with a high repeat business and many loyal well known clients.

After a stint at Boodle’s Club, for 2007-08, he moved to Pennyhill Park in Bagshot Surrey. Pennyhill, is a five red-star property, which has Europe’s largest hotel spa as well as a Michelin restaurant “the Latymer”. The hotel is well known for hosting England Rugby.

Before joining the Farmers’ Company, during 2009-2017, Duncan ran the hotel services (reception, private dining, events) for Kleinwort Benson and Commerzbank at their UK headquarters on Gresham Street opposite the Guildhall.

Since 2009, Duncan continues to be AICR International Treasurer for the Amicale Internationale des Sous Directeurs et Chefs de Réception des Grand Hôtels – the International Hotel Association for Front Office Managers of Luxury Hotel. With 1000 members, their main role as a hotel association is to run the annual World’s Best Receptionist competition.

In March 2022, he was admitted to the Freedom of the Innholders’ Company.

• Duties as Assistant Clerk:
• Supporting the Clerk’s role and responsibilities for the Company’s regular calendar of events and meetings;
• Secretary of the WCF Alumni Association and secretariat of the 1500 Alumni who have studied the educational courses supported via the Livery;
• Co-ordinator to the Education Committee and its initiatives, and the Henman Brooks Apprentices & Jubilee Committee, and also assists with the Trustee Company;
• Liaison with the Company’s education partners of the annual Livery courses: Cranfield University, Rural Business School at Duchy College and the Royal Agricultural University.