Warwickshire Craft Leaders Profiles
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire is headed by the Provincial Grand Master and he appoints, to assist him in the management of the Province, a Deputy and four Assistants.
RW BRO PHILIP HALL
PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
Installed as the 17th Provincial Grand Master for Warwickshire on the 30th October 2020, Philip is the first since the 1992 to occupy the role as head of both the Craft and the Royal Arch in Warwickshire.
Born and raised in Sutton Coldfield, Philip attended Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, the oldest school in the town. His working life quickly took him into the world of residential estate agency, which continues to the present as he is the owner and managing director of a local firm of estate agents. Married to Julie since 1990, (who also works for the business) they have two grown-up sons, both scientists (one a Doctor of biochemistry and the other a nuclear physicist – sensibly not following Dad into estate agency!) and their two dogs – Buttons and Bobbin.
Philip’s masonic interest started in his early twenties when his uncle became a freemason. This intrigued Philip who started asking questions about what freemasonry was all about. This culminated in 1992 with his uncle proposing him into the Lodge of St Blaise No 6113 in Sutton Coldfield, aged just 25. As the youngest member by far, Philip was immediately welcomed, encouraged and mentored by all the members of the Lodge. This support and encouragement from all the members grew his confidence both inside and outside of freemasonry. This lead to him being installed as Worshipful Master (the head of the Lodge) for the first time in 2000, aged just 33. Over the years that followed Philip was given many wonderful opportunities to grow his masonic experience at both County (Province of Warwickshire) and National (United Grand Lodge of England) levels, which lead to him being given the role as head of the Royal Arch Order for Warwickshire in 2016 and subsequently he was appointed as the Head of Warwickshire Freemasonry (Provincial Grand Master) in 2020.
Outside of freemasonry (when he has time!), Philip and Julie both enjoy walking, live theatre and cinema, gardening and spending time with their friends in the local village pub. Living on Cannock Chase they are never happier than walking Buttons on a warm summers evening with truly beautiful countryside, or alternatively along a beach in North Wales where they both also like to spend time. Philip and Julie have recently entered into the world of caravaning having purchased a touring caravan. They hope to find some time (!) to explore different parts of the UK and Europe.
VW BRO DAVID BUTCHER
DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
David was initiated into Greville Lodge No. 4773 in 1976. His career took him away from the area and subsequently overseas, as a result he did not become Master until 2002.
In 2009 he was appointed a Provincial Assistant Director of Ceremonies, a role he held for two years. He was appointed Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2014 and subsequently became Provincial Grand Mentor. He was appointed Assistant Provincial Grand Master in October 2020 and promoted to Deputy Provincial Grand Master in November 2022.
His career was spent with the Nat West Group in the Leasing and the International Banking divisions. He spent 10 years of his career in Germany where he was Chief Executive of a number of the bank’s European subsidiaries.
He became a trustee, and subsequently Chairman, of Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust and served on the board for 12 years until he stood down in 2019.
He is Vice Chairman of the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s Charity Grants Committee.
He has been married to Valerie since 1975 and they have three sons and three grandchildren.
He is a keen, but average golfer and is a member of Kenilworth Golf Club. He also enjoys cycling and running and can be seen doing the Coventry Park Run most Saturday mornings.
W BRO HOWARD SMITH
ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
Howard is the managing director of CGB Contracting Services Ltd, a facilities management company based in Sutton Coldfield.
Initiated into the Lodge of Freedom 3914 in 1995 he was first appointment Prov ADC in 2008, subsequently promoted to Prov DepDC 2013 and ProvJW 2017. Howard was appointment Prov APGM in October 2020.
Passionate about Freemasonry but also Ferrari’s, Howard currently runs a California T and is a long suffering fan of Birmingham City. By his own admission his hobbies have definitely led him to understand the joys and sorrows of life.
Howard has been married to Sandra for 31 years. He states his two best decisions in life were marrying Sandra and joining Freemasonry.
W BRO PETER CLARKE
ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
Peter was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire in 1958, and brought up in what was then called a New Towns Commission urban housing project to cater for the 1950’s Baby boom! He moved to the West Midlands with work in 1983 and has been married to Denise since 1985. They have two sons and currently two granddaughters that live in Dubai with their eldest son who is a Barrister out there. Their younger Son has his own successful postproduction film editing business.
From school he went straight into work in 1974 following the then educational path of attending night school to gain qualifications. He was made an Honorary Lifetime member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply after 40 years’ service in the profession.
Back in the 1980’s Peter became very involved in the PHAB (Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied) organisation, together with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, gaining the Gold award and being part of organisational committees.
His masonic time began in 1997 when he was initiated into Tuscan Lodge in Severn Street Birmingham. He became a member of many other Craft Lodges and orders in the Province, together with several Honorary Memberships.
Peter says he has had the best job in Freemasonry as an Acting DC in the province, which covered a period of almost 10 years (ProvAGDC, ProvDepDC & ProvGDC). He says a priceless experience was being promoted to an Acting Grand Officer as Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies of the UGLE, giving him the opportunity to carry out duties at Great Queen Street and around the country as escorting DC for the Rulers of the Craft.
He is extremely proud to be a current APGM and to continue to serve the Province.
In 2005 he was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, the impact of which in the early days was life changing, but with the wonders of modern medicine has been able to lead a very full life and takes an interest in supporting the research charities for this condition which silently affects so many people.
His other hobbies are Gardening, Fishing, Sailing the Greek Islands in a chartered Yacht, Walking, following F1, and trying to be the best granddad!
W BRO DAVID SHAKESHAFT
ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
David was initiated into Stivichall Lodge in Coventry in 1986
A member of the RICS he has worked in construction and property development for over 40 years as a quantity surveyor and later in management. Now describing himself as virtually retired, he enjoys ski-ing, cycling, occasional golf, diy and sailing, completing a transatlantic crossing in 2014. He is currently enjoying a protracted and intermittent sail around Britain and Ireland and has been since 2017 exploring Britain’s and Ireland’s coastline.
Appointed as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master in 2023, David has previously been honoured with Provincial acting ranks as a Steward in 2001 and Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2009 and was for some time Provincial DC in the Royal Arch where he also received acting Grand Rank on two occasions.
Married to Sharon with two grown up children, he is a past chairman of Market Bosworth rugby club and enjoys watching the games over a beer.
W BRO AVTAR PANESAR
ASSISTANT PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER
Avtar was born in Nairobi, Kenya and went to school there.
He came to the UK in 1972 for A level studies and university and attended Chelsea College, University of London taking a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
Avtar worked in pharmaceuticals for some years and then into retail pharmacy with his wife Kipi. After doing that for some years, he branched out into lighting design and installation for the hotel and leisure sectors. He feels very fortunate to have had the opportunity of creating some exciting lighting installations during the past 30 years.
Recently retired, Avtar now considers himself occupied in enjoying his hobbies. These are cycling, walking, gardening, cooking, spending time with grandchildren and the most enriching one which is Freemasonry.
Avtar was initiated into Fraternity Lodge No. 4032 in 1994 and has also joined Royal Arch and Mark Masonry. He feels very privileged to have been appointed to acting rank in all of these and in particular craft masonry, having held the office of Provincial AGDC, Dep PGDC, Provincial Junior Grand Warden and now feels very humbled and honoured to be an Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
In addition, Avtar enjoys watching tennis, cricket and hockey all of which he has played at university level. He was introduced to Liverpool Football Club in 1972 and since then has seen good and some not so good times in the clubs history.
Happily married to Kipi, they have three grown up children and young grandchildren.
Avtar thanks his family for the ongoing support given to him whilst he enjoys his Freemasonry.
