Meet The New Provincial Grand Charity Steward

From his beginnings in Dagenham, Chris Hicks left university as a scientist after studying biology with microbiology,

with the aim of curing people. But he soon realised he was better at selling the drugs rather than discovering them! This led to a 40-plus-year career in the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry.

Chris was initiated into Thomas Ralling Lodge 2508 in May 1995, the first candidate following the Lodge’s Centenary, by his uncle, Bill Emmerson. He has yet to miss a meeting, having notched up 107.

He was Worshipful Master in 2001 and again in 2019, the Lodge’s 125th Anniversary, and due to Covid suspensions, he remained in the Chair until this year. He was appointed a Provincial Grand Steward in 2003 and received the Grand Rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies (PAGDC) in 2016.

In the Royal Arch, Chris was Exalted into Thomas Ralling Chapter 2508 in March 1999 and was 1st Principal in the Chapter’s Centenary Year of 2007 when he was appointed as a Provincial Grand Steward. He was appointed to Grand Rank as PAGDC in 2020.

In other orders, Chris was Advanced and Elevated in Boleyn Castle 998 Mark and Royal Ark Mariners (RAM) Lodges in 2003. He was appointed ADC in Grand Mark in 2020 and received RAM Grand Rank in 2016. In Royal and Select Masters, he was Chosen as a Select Master in Langdon Hills Council 208 in 2009 and became a Grand Manciple in 2019. He also holds 30th Degree in Rose Croix via De Vere Chapter 831, and is in the Royal Order of Scotland, Province of North Thames.

As a side note, Chris is involved in the “Ancient and Noble Order of the Mystic Shrine”, more commonly known as the Shriners and was the UK Shine Club Recorder. This order is also all about charity, and the Shriners run 27 hospitals free for children in the US, Canada and Philippines.       

In his “spare time”, Chris is a qualified cricket umpire and an average club cricketer.