bhi - clocks, watches & the art and science of timekeeping

About the BHI

Our organisation is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Follow these links to download copies of our Memorandum of Association and our Articles of Association. Our mission statement is:

The British Horological Institute is a professional body created by the members, for the members, to further their interests. We aspire to be the natural home for all involved in horology, whether professionally or recreationally, and we will achieve this by:

Facilitating education and providing specialist training;
Setting recognised standards of excellence in workmanship and professional conduct;
Supporting our members in the furtherance of their horological aspirations.

We will provide a pleasant and safe working environment; and nurture, develop and empower our staff to support their delivery of our services.
We will maintain, promote and develop our assets on behalf of our members.

Download a pdf copy of our General Information Leaflet.

About our armorial bearings

The Armillary Sphere, supported in the Institute’s armorial bearings by two lions, has long been used as a device by the Horological Institute.

The crossed lines covering the eagle signify the passage of time, and the sprig of thyme in the bird’s beak, as well as the hour glass in its talons, also depict the preoccupation with time.

The closed helm is appropriate to a corporate body, and the mantling flowing down either side, is made up of the principal metal and colour of the Shield of Arms — gold and black, the livery colours of the Institute.

The silver unicorn marks the long association of the Institute with Marquises of Northampton. The other supporter, a Boar coloured in gold with black spots, alludes to one of the early and outstanding of a long line of distinguished presidents, Lord Grimthorpe.

The motto ‘Vigilantia’ expresses the constant endeavour of those who devote their lives to the science of horology.

What is horology?HOROLOGY is the art, science and craft of making instruments to measure time.

HOROLOGISTS are people who make, repair, restore or conserve clocks and watches.

HOROLOGY covers the full range of watches and clocks: from the smallest ladies' watches or even cuff-link watches to the largest church, railway and other public clocks; from the oldest mechanical timepieces to the latest versions controlled by radio time signals from atomic clocks around the world.

Who are our members?Membership at Associate level is open to all.

Our Registered grades, Member and Fellow, are available to those who can demonstrate the necessary skills, understanding and experience.

All our members undertake to abide by our Code of Practice. If you have any problem with a Registered Repairer, you can download a copy of our Problem Resolution Form.

Why is Professional Registration important? Your clocks and watches are important to you. When they need servicing or repair, you'll want to make sure they're properly cared for by experts. The BHI's Professional Register only includes details of individuals who have satisfied the Institute's stringent requirements for professional membership, so by choosing a BHI Registered Repairer, you can be confident of a good result! Find a Registered Repairer.

If you have difficulties with any aspect of the service you receive from a BHI Registered Repairer, you can use the Institute's Problem Resolution Service - we will try to help!

One-fifty!On 15th June 2008 the Institute will celebrate its 150th anniversary. A programme of specialist symposia will run from 9th-11th June, followed by an exciting three-day Show from 13th - 15th June

For further details, click One-Fifty

People Our organisation is governed by our Board of Directors. These are a group of ten dedicated individuals elected from the membership, who take responsibility for matters of policy, and for guiding the Institute's future. Shown below are (clockwise from screen): Ken Lloyd Jones (Vice Chairman), Mark Mills (Chairman), Geoff Armitage, Richard Snelling, Robert Egan, Stella Haward, Peter Waller, Chris McKay and Hugh Barnes.

Board

The Full-Time Team
	General Manager, Martin Taylor leads the small team of committed employees that looks after the Institute's day-to-day operations.:
As well as looking after the museum collection, Curator Alan Midleton FBHI is also Librarian, and a tutor for our Distance Learning Course.
	Zanna Perry looks after our membership database, administers our seminar programme and the Rolex parts supply scheme, and maintains the BHI website .
Maxine Bell is Examinations Secretary and along with Jayne looks after marketing and publicity.
	Jayne Hall is the Editor of our Horological Journal, and along with Maxine looks after the Institute's marketing and publicity.
Tracey Bird is our Receptionist, dealing with incoming calls and visitors, and general administration.
The Part-Time Team
Justin Koullapis is our HJ Technical Editor (not based at Upton Hall).
	Workshop Technician Bill Tammas comes in on Mondays and Fridays to make sure our watch and clock workshops are kept running smoothly
Briony Dickinson works on Fridays to keep our accounts in order.
Other Regulars
	Not strictly 'on the payroll', but often to be seen around Upton Hall, and essential to keeping the place in sound order, is subcontract handyman George Hind.
Volunteers
In the workshops, 'Monday Michael' Walton helps out on Mondays
	and Arthur Booth on Fridays.
Barrie Fitton proof-reads HJ each month, and helps keep our garden neat and tidy. (Although pictured here with both pen and fork, he doesn't always carry out both roles at the same time.)
	Office bear Frank Staples generally helps around the offices wherever he can, and models the BHI lapel badge, on sale to members for £2.50. Contact us to order (that's the badge, not the bear!

bhi "excellence in time"

The British Horological Institute Limited

Our Corporate Members

About the BHI

The British Horological Institute is a professional body created by the members, for the members, to further their interests. We aspire to be the natural home for all involved in horology, whether professionally or recreationally, and we will achieve this by:

Facilitating education and providing specialist training;

Setting recognised standards of excellence in workmanship and professional conduct;

Supporting our members in the furtherance of their horological aspirations.

We will provide a pleasant and safe working environment; and nurture, develop and empower our staff to support their delivery of our services.
We will maintain, promote and develop our assets on behalf of our members.

bhi "excellence in time"

The British Horological Institute Limited

Our Corporate Members

About the BHI

The British Horological Institute is a professional body created by the members, for the members, to further their interests. We aspire to be the natural home for all involved in horology, whether professionally or recreationally, and we will achieve this by:

Facilitating education and providing specialist training;

Setting recognised standards of excellence in workmanship and professional conduct;

Supporting our members in the furtherance of their horological aspirations.

We will provide a pleasant and safe working environment; and nurture, develop and empower our staff to support their delivery of our services. We will maintain, promote and develop our assets on behalf of our members.

We will provide a pleasant and safe working environment; and nurture, develop and empower our staff to support their delivery of our services.
We will maintain, promote and develop our assets on behalf of our members.