In the early 1990s it was recognised that, while all livery companies were concerned with education and training within their trades or professions, none was concerned with the profession of education and training itself. An initiative, to set up such a Livery Company was supported by the College of Preceptors (as it then was), and pursued by Keith Lawrey as Honorary Clerk and registration was sought from the Corporation of London in 1997, with the support of Professor R. Franklin CBE (then Vice Chancellor of the City University) as the Foundation Master-Designate, and Mrs Judith G Osborne as Upper Warden. That registration was granted in 2000 and the Guild of Educators was founded on 24 May 2001 with a Court of Assistants comprising a number of leaders in the various sectors of the education profession. The Guild was kindly accommodated by London Guildhall University, and its first sponsoring Alderman was Sir Christopher Walford, a former Lord Mayor of the City of London, who was succeeded as Sponsoring Alderman by Alderman (now Sir) John Stuttard.

Becoming a Guild is the first of a three-stage process that can lead to becoming a full Livery Company. The time scale depends on the growth of the Guild and its charitable fund. The second stage is to become a Company without Livery, which was achieved in September 2009, and the final stage is full Livery Company status with both Freemen and Liverymen.

The Inaugural Annual Lecture (now entitled the Franklin Lecture in honour of the Foundation Master) was presented at London Guildhall University (as it then was) in November 2001. On this occasion, the Master wore for the first time the splendid robe which he had presented to the Guild. The first Election Dinner was held at the Women's Library at London Guildhall University in February 2002 and, prior to the dinner, the first ceremony of Admission to the Freedom took place when Sir Christopher's successor, Alderman John Stuttard, admitted Professor Franklin to the Freedom and the Master then admitted Alderman Stuttard. In addition twenty-five other candidates were admitted including John Holland CBE, DL (sometime Chief Commoner) as the first Honorary Freeman in gratitude for the advice and support he gave during the formation period.

In 2002, the Worshipful Company of Bakers kindly offered to become the Guild's mentor and from then to 2009 the Guild has held its statutory meetings at Bakers' Hall.

In 2003, the jewels for the Master and Wardens were designed and manufactured.

In 2004, the Guild undertook the administration of Livery Schools Link (formerly the Association of Schools Working Party of Logvec) which seeks to support schools in the boroughs adjacent to the City of London. (See separate pages)

Also in 2004, the Guild of Educators' Trust Fund was registered with the Charity Commission and is now in the process of building up its capital fund, while making certain annual awards. (See separate pages)

In 2004, too, the Guild introduced evening discussion meetings in London on matters of interest to educators. These are reported in The Educator and on separate pages on this website.

In 2005, a series of Breakfast seminars was started on topical education matters to which leaders of the education world were invited. (See separate pages)

In 2009, the Guild successfully petitioned for company status and became the Company of Educators. Some future statutory meetings will be held at Painters' Hall.