We are delighted to announce that Tony Ward, Founder & Chairman of The Darent Wax Company, has taken up the role of Master of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers.

The appointment marks a significant milestone in Tony’s long standing career in the wax industry and is a fitting recognition of his contribution to the sector over more than five decades.

Tony founded Darent Wax in 1984, originally establishing the business as Ceroform Ltd on the banks of the River Darent in Kent. What began with a knowledge of industrial wax chemistry and a vision for developing specialist wax applications has since grown into the international business that Darent Wax is today.

The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers has a history stretching back centuries. Originally associated with the preparation and manufacture of beeswax products, the Company has evolved alongside the industry and today maintains strong links with the modern world of wax, while supporting education, charitable causes, and the wider livery movement.

The Company received its Royal Charter in 1484 and is ranked 20th in the order of precedence of the City of London livery companies.

For Darent Wax, this connection is particularly meaningful. The Company recognises businesses operating within the modern wax industry, including The Darent Wax Company, providing a longstanding link between the heritage of wax chandlery and today’s specialist wax manufacturers.

Tony’s appointment brings together two important parts of his career: the creation and development of a successful specialist wax manufacturer, and his involvement with an organisation dedicated to preserving the heritage and advancing the future of the wax industry.

Speaking about his appointment, Tony said:

“It is a great honour to take on the role of Master of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers. Wax has been at the heart of my professional life for more than 50 years, and I am particularly proud to represent both the heritage of our industry and the businesses and people who continue to innovate within it today”

During his year as Master, Tony will represent the Company at events across the City of London and beyond, while supporting its charitable, educational and industry-related activities.

The role also provides an opportunity to highlight the increasingly diverse applications of wax in modern life,  from traditional candle making and beeswax products to aerospace, engineering, beauty, healthcare, agriculture, sport and specialist manufacturing.

For everyone at Darent Wax, Tony’s appointment is a proud moment and a wonderful reflection of the company’s long-standing roots in the wax industry.

From its beginnings on the River Darent in Kent, to its position as an international specialist wax manufacturer, Darent Wax has always been built around a deep understanding of wax and its many possibilities.

Tony’s appointment as Master of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers represents a unique opportunity to celebrate that heritage while looking towards the industry’s future.

Congratulations to Tony on this prestigious appointment. We wish him every success for his year as Master.