Post by Haberdashers' Elstree Schools Foundation

Last week, 25 alumni of Habs Boys and Habs Girls got a look behind the doors of one of London's most iconic institutions – the Old Bailey. We were hosted by Robert Hughes-Penney (OH 1986), who has been serving as Sheriff of London since September 2025. The evening began with a drinks reception in the Judges Dining Room, where Robert shared insights into the office of Sheriff (the second oldest secular office in the country after the Monarchy) and what his year in post has looked like so far – from living inside the Old Bailey, travelling internationally to support the Lady Mayor and hosting the ‘Justice for All’ series, to name just a few of his many commitments. Every Sheriff gets to design their own Shrieval badge, and Robert’s proudly incorporates the Haberdashers' crest, a personal nod to his roots at Habs Boys and role within the Haberdashers’ Company. We were then treated to a private tour of the Old Bailey itself, gaining insights into its rich history, landmark cases, and the iconic courtrooms that have shaped British legal history. A huge thank you to Robert and the Old Bailey Events team for their generosity in making this evening possible!