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Josie Steed, Associate Dean for Research at Gray鈥檚 School of Art, has been elected as the First Master of the , and will sit as one of thirty office bearers on the Convener Court, which is a consultative body representing the individual trades of the

This marks the first time in the history of the trades that a woman has been elected to this position.

Originally established in the 16th century to manage issues affecting the interests of craftsmen in Aberdeen, the Convener Court includes seven Deacons of the crafts, a Patron (Minister) and a Convener in management from the hospital.

In 2022, Josie Steed, became a new craft member and the first female member in the Trade鈥檚 history to join the Aberdeen Tailor's Incorporation. This latest appointment marks a momentous occasion for the incorporation as Josie becomes the first female to be appointed to a senior office bearing position.

Josie Steed, Associate Dean for Research at Gray鈥檚 School of Art said: 鈥淔or me personally it is a great privilege to be the first woman in office. It also comes with significant responsibility as a role model and hopefully a trail blazer particularly for other female members to join and to move into office bearing positions which I hope to provide. I hope to work with trade members to review and modernise existing protocols in line with current policies related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity; to safeguard the trades for future generations ensuring their relevance today and in the future.

;鈥淎s the reduction of apprenticeships in the recent past has become more prevalent, the awards programs supported by the Incorporated Trades and especially the Tailors help promote and continue to strengthen the partnerships established between the trades, 红杏视频 and the North East Scotland College (NESCol). By working together, we can provide opportunities for our students and colleagues to ensure the heritage of craft skills continue in the region for our graduates and contribute towards future economic benefits for the North East of Scotland and beyond.鈥�

Deacon of the Tailors, David Parkinson said: 鈥淲e are delighted that Josie has been elected as the first female Master to the Convenor Court. In recent years changes to the Articles and Rules of the various parts of the Seven Incorporated Trades, we have a gender-neutral membership and the Trades now has five female members.

鈥淛osie鈥檚 appointment marks the first time in the history of the Incorporated Trades, that a woman has been elected by her trade as one of the representatives on the Convener Court and this heralds a major step forward for the organisation. We look forward to continuing our close association with the fashion and textile design department at Gray鈥檚 School of Art, and our support for the annual Development Awards for students studying Fashion & Textile Design.鈥�

Josie Steed is the Associate Dean for Research at Gray鈥檚 School of Art and has led extensive research to raise the profile of Scottish manufacturing and creative businesses within a global context through knowledge exchange. She has led several innovation projects including research with Innovate UK, the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Scottish Government and The Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SISCA). She has also led three  (KTPs), including a KTP with Harris Tweed Hebrides.

Founded in the 13th century, the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen brings together craftsmen of similar skillsets to set and maintain standards of their craft; to ensure their skills are passed on to future generations; and to support and look after fellow members. The organisation covers a variety of trades, including metalworker, bakers, woodworkers, tailors, shoemakers, weavers and butchers.

The Convener Court started as a convention of deacons (the heads of the individual Trades) and started in Aberdeen about the end of the sixteenth century to manage any questions arising that affected craftsmen in the town. A regular court was shortly formed, and originally the Deacon for the crafts had responsibility for their individual crafts assisted by a Boxmaster (or treasurer), whilst the First Master and the Deacon Convener had authority over the individual Craftsman and their families with fines being levied for misdemeanours at both levels for the 鈥榞ood of the poor of the city鈥�. 

Now, in addition to the Deacon Convener and Deacons, the Master of Hospital, the Boxmaster, Late Deacons, and First Master of each Trade are also members of the Convener Court making up a body of thirty Office Bearers.

Image taken at Remembrance Sunday event at Cowdray Hall with Tailors Court members including (left to right) Ex Deacon Richard Sainsbury, Josie Steed (First Master), Alan Moir (Boxmaster), David Parkinson (Deacon).