The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Opens Call for New Council Members

14 Oct 2025

The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) has opened a call for new Council Members, inviting applications from individuals working across jewellery, silversmithing, and the allied trades.

The Council, founded in 1908 to encourage, stimulate and promote the pursuit of excellence in jewellery and silversmithing, is seeking new members. Each year, it hosts the highly-respected Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council competition and awards ceremony to celebrate the very best in British jewellery and silversmithing talent.

In particular, the GC&DC is inviting applications from people with exceptional skills in CAD design, chasing, enamelling, engraving, gemmology, polishing, technology, and silversmithing. We also welcome those with experience in education or training within jewellery and metalwork.

“For the first time in five years, we are seeking new Council Members to bring not only their knowledge, skills, and prowess, but energy and enthusiasm to the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council,” says John Ball, chairman of the GC&DC.

“We’ve identified opportunities for new members who specialise in everything from education and finance, to silversmithing and CAD. Being part of the Council is an opportunity to join a diverse team of industry experts, with a remit to celebrate the very best of British design and craftsmanship.”

The GC&DC is hosting an online seminar on Wednesday, October 22 at 7pm for those interested in hearing more about becoming a Council Member, the remit of the GC&DC, and what the role involves.

Those interested in this seminar should enter their details using the following form to receive an invitation via email: Register for October 22nd Seminar

Those who are ready to apply to become a Council Member can submit their interest using the following form: Apply to become a Council Member

Final applications for new Council Members will close at midnight on Friday, October 31. The GC&DC will contact the successful applicants to organise an online interview in early November.

About The GC&DC

The Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council is a non-profit making organisation founded over one hundred years ago in 1908. Today, the Council continues its work from its original remit: “to encourage, stimulate and promote the pursuit of excellence in craftsmanship and design amongst all those in the United Kingdom who work within silversmithing, goldsmithing, jewellery and the allied crafts.”

The central aim of the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council is to promote excellence in the industry through its prestigious annual awards. The Council’s members, elected volunteers, give their time in organising and managing the annual competition, awards ceremony and subsequent exhibitions of winners’ work.

FAQ

How is the GC&DC set up?

The Council is formed as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), run as a social not-for-profit enterprise, where all funds are used in the promotion of craftsmanship and design within the industry. The Council is governed by a committee of 21 trade-based experts from which a Chairman/Woman and Vice Chairman/Woman are chosen. Council members are recruited through a process of nomination and election through a democratic process, and give their time freely and generously in order to maintain and enhance the Council's work.

What does the Council do?

The central aim of the Craft & Design Council is to promote excellence in the industry through its prestigious annual awards. The Council's members, elected volunteers, give their time in organising and managing the annual Competition, Awards Ceremony and subsequent Exhibition held at Goldsmiths' Hall.

What are The Craftsmanship and Design Awards?

The Council Awards embrace every aspect of craft and design activity currently being practised in the UK industry. Diverse and wide-ranging, the skill set of British jewellery, goldsmithing, silversmithing and allied trades is showcased annually as part of the Council's unique national competition to which there is no parallel in the UK.

All submissions entered into the competition are judged by skilled and experienced practitioners drawn from their specialist fields of expertise within the profession.

Through this process of peer inspection and scrutiny, work is endorsed by professionals to the highest standards and objectives set by the Council, thus validating the status and quality of these awards.

The Council promotes and encourages participation in the competition primarily by its annual exhibitions, which showcase high-calibre entrant work at Goldsmiths' Hall and The Goldsmiths' Centre.

Who are the current Council Members?

The elected Council Members generously give their time and the benefit of their expertise to guide the Council in the furtherance of its remit to promote excellence in craftsmanship and design. This continues to encourage and promote the exceptional levels of skill and diversity that constitute a world-class industry in the UK. Current chairs, consultants, trustees and Council Members can be viewed here.

What is the expected commitment for Council Members?

GC&DC Council members provide their time voluntarily. Council Members dedicate around two hours (average) per month to Council online meetings, GC&DC activities and initiatives. Throughout the year, we encourage Council Members to participate in our awards judging sessions, and we hold 2-3 full Council meetings per year, where in-person attendance is required.

What is the GC&DC’s stance on DE, I?

The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council shares the vision to build a fair, safe and just world where all human lives are seen as equal, and opportunities prevail for all. To do this, we must confront these issues that are present within our own industry.

As individuals and collectively as an organisation that promotes the highest standards in design and craftsmanship within the jewellery, goldsmithing and silversmithing industries, and our allied crafts, the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council acknowledges that there is much for us to do – listening, learning, discussing and using our position and industry reach to enact, support and promote positive change. This is crucial work that we must undertake to ensure we can achieve true diversity, equality and inclusion within our own organisation and the wider industry; we are committed to achieving this. Working together as Trustees and Council members, alongside all our supporters, we will act as agents of change for a brighter, more inclusive and wholly progressive future for the industry.

Register for the Seminar on October 22nd at 7pm

Application form to become a Council Member

Source: GC&DC