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Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter Welcomes International Judges for World Craft City Evaluation
The Jewellery Quarter is gearing up to host an exciting global panel of experts from the World Craft Council as it enters the final stages of its bid for World Craft City status. Judges from all corners of the globe will start their evaluation visit in Birmingham on Monday 7th April to assess the Jewellery Quarter’s world-renowned craft in jewellery and precious metalwork.
The upcoming visit will bring together a distinguished group of international experts, artisans, and industry leaders to evaluate the city’s exceptional contribution to jewellery-making, goldsmithing, silversmithing, and allied trades. This comes after a rigorous application process, which has seen Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter highlight its rich history, ongoing innovation, and commitment to sustainability within the craft sector.
The panel will be hosted by key local institutions including Birmingham City University’s (BCU) prestigious School of Jewellery, which has long been at the heart of the city's craft tradition. The Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT) is playing a central role in coordinating the event, and is supported by Birmingham City Council, the Goldsmiths’ Company, and a number of local organisations and stakeholders.
“The innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the Jewellery Quarter has defined Birmingham’s role since the Industrial Revolution, and we are immensely proud that it continues to thrive as a key part of our city’s economy. The area remains a hub of creativity and craft, where over 600 businesses continue to blend traditional skills in jewellery, silver - and goldsmithing with contemporary design. I am delighted to be supporting their bid to become a World Craft City, which offers the potential for the Jewellery Quarter to showcase their great work and receive well deserved recognition."
Cllr Saima Suleman, Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism
The event will include tours, workshops, and a series of presentations showcasing the breadth of talent in the Jewellery Quarter. Highlights will include a presentation by Matthew Bott, Chair of JQDT, on why the area deserves to be recognised as a World Craft City, alongside talks from notable figures such as Lee Lapthorne, Head of College at BCU’s School of Jewellery, and Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson. The judges will also visit historic manufacturer Thomas Fattorini, attend a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor, and hear about the vital support the bid has received from both the British Allied Trades Federation and the National Association of Jewellers.
"We are thrilled to welcome this esteemed panel to Birmingham, and we believe the Jewellery Quarter’s creativity and craftsmanship are deserving of international recognition," said Matthew Bott, Chair, Jewellery Quarter Development Trust.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the ongoing work of our businesses, from silversmiths to jewellery designers, and to demonstrate how the Jewellery Quarter continues to shape the future of the craft."
The panel will also visit a variety of exhibitions, including the School of Jewellery’s Artist in Residence Exhibition, the Graduate Work Showcase, and Silversmiths in Focus – a display featuring work by local alumni. Other highlights include lunch and a talk in the Birmingham Assay Office’s historic Silver Room, as well as a visit to the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, offering further insight into the area's rich heritage and thriving craft community.
“When my University talks of being Rooted in Birmingham, it’s our presence in the Jewellery Quarter which often first springs to mind. We are immensely proud to be situated at the heart of the UK’s jewellery industry, and I know the young people learning skills in our historic Vittoria Street home are always well placed to make a huge impact in the future of craft.
“Achieving World Craft City status would shine a deserved light on our burgeoning talent.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba
The World Craft City status is a prestigious accolade awarded to cities that excel in craftsmanship, promoting cultural exchange and creative industries. It will place Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on the global stage as a beacon of high-quality craft, bringing new opportunities to the area and enhancing its reputation worldwide.
The judging panel will include international experts in jewellery, metalwork, and design, as well as key leaders from the creative industries, ensuring that the assessment is thorough and comprehensive.
This event marks one of the final milestones in Birmingham’s journey to secure World Craft City status, with a decision anticipated later this year.
For more information about the World Craft City application or the upcoming judging event, please contact: Matthew Bott, matthew.bott@scantechdigital.com.
New BATF CEO - Tom Jones
Outgoing President Henrik Skouby (R) and incoming President Gert Schyberg.
Rachael Taylor
BATF Announces New CEO and NAJ adds to National Committee as AGM Proceedings Conclude on a High
Our annual general meeting (AGM) and the AGM for one of our federated trade Associations, The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) took place on June 6, 2024, at the Tower of London, ushering in a new President, Chair, Board Directors and National Committee members across both organisations.
Professionals representing all of our federated trade associations, which also include The Giftware Association, the Surface Engineering Association (SEA), the British Travelgoods & Accessories Association and the Jewellery Distributors Association attended for the AGM, in addition to a contingent from the NAJ.
To kickstart proceedings, outgoing President Henrik Skouby officially welcomed Tom Jones as our new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Tom previously held a similar position at the Aluminium Federation, where he served for more than six years, in addition to a Board Director role at the UK Metals Council.
He comments: “This is a great time to be joining the BATF as CEO. The AGM was a great opportunity to network with members and meet representatives of each of the federated trade associations, who I look forward to working closely with in the future. My goal now is to dive into Federation business and see what can be done to strengthen its remit and future-proof our activities.”
Elsewhere Henrik formally handed over presidency duties to Gert Schyberg, the Founder and Managing Director of Sebnini Trading Ltd. As our new President, Schyberg will draw upon 15 years of experience on the Giftware Association’s National Committee and professional expertise in finance, procurement manufacturing, strategy and management to uplift the Federation and ensure its continued success in tumultuous times. It was also announced that he will work alongside Henrik in his new role as Deputy President until 2026.
To close proceedings, the President named three additions to our Board of Directors, including National Association of Jewellers representatives Harriet Kelsall and Heather Callaway, who have both served as Chair of the Association in previous years, and John Taylor, Managing Director of SEA member business, Schloetter Co Ltd.
During the NAJ AGM, President Gary Wroe formally handed the reigns of Chair to Adam Jacobs, who had previously served as Vice Chair of the Association since 2022. He now officially takes over responsibilities from outgoing Chair, Heather Callaway. As the Joint-Owner of Reading-based independent family business, Jacobs the Jewellers, Adam Jacobs has been an NAJ volunteer since 2016, initially stepping in to introduce a marketing and promotions sub-group before being invited to join the National Committee in 2020. He also serves as Chair of R.E.D.A., Reading's Economy + Destination Agency, and is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.
He says: “It was wonderful to formally take up the role of NAJ Chair at the AGM in early June. It was also a great opportunity to share my vision for my term in office and explain what I believe are the opportunities on the horizon for our great industry. I would especially like to thank Heather Callaway for providing great support and encouragement as I step into this new role.”
The NAJ also announced new additions to its National Committee at the event, including Alexia Taylor, a passionate advocate for the NAJ’s Institute of Registered Valuers and a Director at Walsh Bros. Jewellers in Tunbridge Wells, and Peter Wong, Managing Director at Wongs Jewellers in Liverpool and a member of the NAJ’s JET Business Network.
During the AGM proceedings, jewellery journalist and author Rachael Taylor took to the stage in her capacity as Chair of the HALO Award judging panel to announce the launch of the 2024 HALO Award competition, organised by the British Hallmarking Council. She noted that entries must be submitted by Monday, September 16, 2024, with the winners due to be announced in December.
This was followed by an address by The Benevolent Society Chair Gay Penfold, who shared further details of more than £150,000 worth of grants and bursaries given to individuals within the BATF industries over the last 12 months. Guests were then welcomed to take a private tour of the British Crown Jewels before sitting down for a dinner, organised by The Benevolent Society, to kickstart its 100th anniversary celebrations.
Speaking on the milestone year, Gay Penfold says: “This is an exciting time for The Benevolent Society as we celebrate 100 years and thousands of beneficiaries who have navigated hard times with the support of their friends and colleagues in this great trade. This year’s BATF AGM and dinner at the Tower of London was a wonderful occasion and a perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new connections.”
The Benevolent Society will also mark its 100th anniversary at its annual Ball at The Grand Hotel Birmingham on December 5, 2024. Tickets can be reserved here.