UGLE Governance

The Duke of Kent was born in 1935, and educated at Eton and Le Rosey, Switzerland.

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.

His Royal Highness was appointed Senior Grand Warden by the United Grand Lodge of England in 1966 and was promoted to Grand Master in 1967 during UGLE's 250th anniversary celebrations at the Royal Albert Hall. He has been re-elected every year since and is now UGLE's longest serving Grand Master.

As the Grand Master is a member of the Royal Family, he may appoint a Pro Grand Master to be his principal adviser and to act for him on occasions when, due to Royal engagements, he is unable to be present.

Jonathan Spence was born in 1960, and educated at the Mathematical School, Rochester and Trinity College, Oxford.

After a career in banking, from which he retired in 2006 as Chief Executive of a London bank, he is now a College Bursar but maintains his interest in business with a number of non-executive director appointments.

Jonathan became a Freemason in October 1982 when he was initiated into Sir Joseph Williamson No. 4605, in the Province of East Kent.

Jonathan was appointed Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2003 and served in that office until his appointment as Deputy Grand Master on 11 March 2009. Jonathan was appointed as Pro Grand Master in 2022.

When the Grand Master is a member of the Royal Family, he may appoint a Pro Grand Master to be his principal adviser and to act for him on occasions when, due to Royal engagements, he is unable to be present.

Where’s the most exciting place that you have visited as Ruler?

Mumbai, a fascinating city.

What is your most memorable experience in Freemasonry?

Proclaiming the Grand Master in Grand Lodge as Grand Director of Ceremonies.

Describe Freemasonry in three words?

Thought-provoking, sociable, fun.

Sir Michael Snyder was appointed to this role in 2024 having previously served as Metropolitan Grand Master for 8 ½ years and he also sits as an observer on the Board of General Purposes. 

Sir Michael Snyder led what is now a top 10 firm of Chartered Accountants for many years until 2016 and since then has had a number of chairmanships and directorships in the private sector, including a listed bank and currently a Wealth Management business.

He has been an elected Member of the City of London Corporation since 1986 and chaired several key committees and been its leader as Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee and still currently chairs the Capital Buildings Board which oversees the City’s really large development projects including a new Combined City Courts Building and the City Police’s new Headquarters and other facilities.

Sir Michael Snyder also is or has been involved with a number of charitable and educational institutions.

Describe Freemasonry in three words

Fellowship, Interest and Enjoyment

What is your most memorable experience in Freemasonry?

Being installed as the Metropolitan Grand Master in 2015

What is your advice for new Freemasons taking their first steps in the Craft?

Take everything as it comes and, on your journey, understand how everything fits together, makes sense, and evolves.

David was born in Bath and attended King Edwards School before going to Salford University to study Environmental Health.

Upon graduating he worked for Tameside Borough Council of Greater Manchester as an Environmental Health Officer.

In 1979 he joined the family engineering firm in Bath, the H&M Group which became Sitec Ltd, an engineering design business.

The family charitable trusts have contributed over £45 million to various charities throughout the country; especially those connected with social deprivation and educational organisations.

In 2007 David served as The High Sheriff of Somerset, which represents the Sovereign in the County of Somerset. He has been Deputy Lieutenant of the county since 2008 and has also served as Vice Lord Lieutenant for six years.

David was Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath for 11 years and served on its Council for a total of 14 years.

He has also followed the Medlock family tradition of being an active member of The Provincial Grand Lodge of Somerset Freemasons.

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.

What is your most memorable experience in Freemasonry?

On the night of my initiation hearing my father’s voice and then, when I was able to look around, realising how many members of the rugby club, my old school and the rowing club were present.

Describe Freemasonry in three words

Fun, friendship, stability.

Who are your three dream dinner party guests?

Tina Turner – I love her singing and at 70+, she is still going strong; Lord Denning, who I have always admired as a lawyer since my university days and finally, Colin ‘Pinetree’ Meads who was just a great New Zealand rugby player.

Very Worshipful Brother Adrian Marsh was appointed Grand Secretary in 2022. 
 
Adrian recently announced his intention to retire from the Board of the FTSE 100 paper and packaging company, DS Smith, where he has been the Group Finance Director for the last 10 years.
 
He is also a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of John Wood PLC.

Adrian has previously held senior positions including Head of Corporate Finance at Tesco PLC and European Financial Director at Astra Zeneca PLC.
 
Adrian was initiated into Strong Man Lodge No. 45 on 21 December 1989 and was Master of the Lodge in 1996. He was exalted into the Royal Arch in 1992 in Strong Man Chapter No. 45.
 
Adrian joined the UGLE Audit Committee in 2017 and has chaired the Committee since 2020. He has also been on the Board of General Purposes since 2019 and the Risk Committee since 2020. Adrian was particularly helpful in all we needed to consider during the pandemic.

Jonathan Whitaker joined Elvetham Lodge No.4013 in 1987 and was Master in 1993 and 2013. He served as a Provincial Steward (1995), Provincial Junior Warden in 2000, then as a Group Area Representative (2005-11). He was appointed an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in 2011, then as Deputy Provincial Grand Master in 2018. Jon was appointed Provincial Grand Master in 2020. At Grand Lodge, he serves as President of the Board and a member of the Grand Masters Council. Jon is an active member of the Companion Orders. He has worked as an HR professional throughout his career and still undertakes part-time consultancy. He volunteers for the Magistracy, St John Ambulance and ex-Service organisations. Jonathan is a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire and currently the High Sheriff.