Originally formed to safeguard the quality of shipbuilding in London, today, the Shipwrights’ Company provides support to organisations, charities, educational institutions and individuals associated with the Company’s role as a City of London Livery Company and its origins and trade. The original purpose of the Company 700 years ago was to safeguard the quality of shipbuilding in London. This continues today via the provision of support to marine apprenticeships, boat building courses and naval and marine engineering students at university plus the presentation of annual awards of excellence. The Shipwrights' Company has a strong philanthropic purpose and donates annually to maritime related causes, individuals, charities and companies. Membership of the Company is confined to those with a strong and current connection with the maritime and marine sector and the Company's Liverymen and Freemen come from a broad spectrum of maritime professions including, but not restricted to, marine and maritime law, shipbroking, ship insurance, ship owners, ship builders, the Royal and Merchant Navies, marine and naval engineering, academia, yacht and super yacht building and the supply chains.