Empowering Talent - The Black British Initiative Partners with the Goldsmiths’ Centre to Foster Business Growth for Black Jewellers and Silversmiths through Training

19 Jun 2025

BBI is proud to announce a new collaboration with the Goldsmiths’ Centre aimed at providing Black jewellers and silversmiths across the UK with the skills, mentorship and professional networks needed to help them grow their businesses and increase commercial success. The Goldsmiths’ Centre is backing this initiative by providing top-up funding to enable BBI to offer ten fully-funded places on its ‘mini-MBA’ programme, MBA30, launched in partnership with SOAS University of London during 2023 and later accredited by SOAS during 2024.

This transformative four-week executive educational programme, is designed specifically for underserved Black entrepreneurs, equipping up to thirty new and established business owners per cohort, with the skills, knowledge and insights to develop and scale their enterprises. The programme, utilises a hybrid format, comprising of three engaging days on campus and for convenience, six half-day classes online. Teaching covers leadership, financial management, marketing, branding, strategic and systematic growth, legal imperatives, application of AI and operational sustainability. Participants are lectured by professors and doctors from SOAS’s School of Finance and Management, Social Science, Banking, Economics and Politics as well as Innovation, environmental and Corporate Governance to name a few. SOAS’s academics are complimented by over sixteen exceptionally accomplished ‘world class’ business leaders, contributing their time and expertise, to ensure each cohort has access to visionary and cutting-edge business insights, essential for fostering commercial success.

By opening up fully funded places for talented Black jewellers and silversmiths who qualify, BBI and the Goldsmiths’ Centre aim to break down structural barriers, support sustainable careers, and increase representation in the industry over the next twelve months.

Chris Oliver, Head of Professional Training at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, said,

“Equity and access are central to the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s mission. This collaboration with the Black British Initiative enables us to invest in the next generation of Black makers, providing not just funding, but meaningful pathways to leadership and entrepreneurship.” 

This partnership is part of a broader strategic commitment by both organisations to foster inclusion and empower underrepresented voices in the creative industries, thereby addressing the challenges and disadvantages, underserved entrepreneurs typically face through a lack of education and training. By offering fully funded access to BBI’s innovative programme, the initiative will help bridge the gap between craft and commerce, equipping Black jewellers and silversmiths with the skills, networks, and confidence to grow their businesses.

Darren Miller, CEO and Co-founder of BBI, said,

“We are ecstatic, this support from Goldsmiths’ demonstrates their tangible commitment to creating a fair, inclusive, equitable and cohesive society. Statistically, the delta between the average turnover of a Black owned business and the national average is 3,124% and is directly related to the UK’s high levels of wealth disparity. Executive education is part of the solution and the practical support from the Goldsmiths’ Centre makes it possible to extend the reach of MBA 30’s impact.”

Beyond education, MBA 30 offers access to a network of investors, corporate sponsors, and business leaders. By fostering industry connections, the initiative supports commercial growth and long-term sector diversity, enriching the UK’s jewellery and creative industries.

Applications for the next two cohorts of the Mini-MBA, which runs from 15th September until 9th October 2025 and 3rd November until 28th November 2025, are now open and close on 1st September 2025 and 17th October 2025 respectively. Eligible Black jewellers and silversmiths are encouraged to enrol by contacting mba@blackbritishinitiative.com or by reading more about the course at www.blackbritishinitiative.com/soas-mb-30

View BBI

Source: Goldsmiths' Centre