What we are about
Established in 1986, The Q Guild of Butchers was created to help independent butchery businesses grow and succeed. Wit a membership cap of one hundred butchers from all across the UK, enabling us to build a strong network of like-minded people all working towards the same goal.
In our annual Guildsman magazine we often refer to our WhatsApp group, using the phrase ‘As a Q Guild member, you’re never alone’; this very encapsulates what the Q Guild is all about - enabling like-minded businesses to share ideas, knowledge and best practice, and benefit from peer-to-peer networking, events and resources.
The values of The Q Guild underpin everything we do: Reciprocal, Passion, Trustworthy, Quality and Integrity – and these are values we also look for in all our members.
And not just anyone can become a member – The Q Guild only accepts butchers of the highest quality, who are at the forefront of their sector, ensuring that everyone benefits from this valuable network.
In addition to organised tours and visits to other Q Guild members’ businesses, The Q Guild also hosts its annual Smithfield Awards, which over the past 30 years has recognised and rewarded the UK’s finest craft butchery products, including sausages, bacon, burgers, steak, game products, and BBQ products.
This very successful event not only brings members together to celebrate their successes, it also includes high profile judges and a key note speaker, who shares their insight into the sector and talks through the challenges they’ve faced and the successes they’ve enjoyed.
Membership to the Q Guild also sees each member have their own profile page on the website, which includes background information, contact details, a map, links to their own website and social media pages, along with their latest news. They can also update their own pages as and when required.
We are proud to have some members who have been with us since the Q Guild’s inception, all of whom have benefited from best practice, and the sharing and implementing of ideas. Being a butcher can be a lonely business – the Q Guild is here to support and guide you and ultimately see its member thrive.