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The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Opens Nominations for 2027 Lifetime Achievement Award

21 Jul 2026

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The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) is calling for nominations from the UK jewellery, goldsmithing, silversmithing, and allied trades for its 2027 Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA), sponsored by Thomas Fattorini Ltd.

This special award recognises an individual who has shown exceptional skill and dedication in their work, and who has helped to preserve, share, and champion the knowledge, techniques, and high standards of British craftsmanship and design.

The Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) is given each year by the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council as part of its 2027 Craftsmanship and Design Awards. The award celebrates people whose influence has shaped and advanced the UK’s jewellery, goldsmithing, and silversmithing industries, through creativity, innovation, and a commitment to supporting others and inspiring future generations.

GC&DC chair John Ball explains,

“This call for nominations is an opportunity for people across the UK trade to recognise those whose skill, dedication and generosity have made a lasting contribution to our industry.

“Whether they are a former colleague, employer, mentor or teacher, or someone whose work has been admired from afar, we want to hear about the individuals who have helped to shape British craftsmanship and design. The 2027 Lifetime Achievement Award will celebrate not only their own achievements, but also the knowledge, standards and values they have passed on to others.”

Nominations can be made online

Criteria are provided to help assess an individual’s suitability for the award. For example, nominees may have:

  • Shown exceptional skill and professionalism in their work.
  • Made a significant, long-term contribution to the development of the craft or industry.
  • Shown commitment to preserving and improving techniques, skills, and design practices.
  • Inspired and supported others through teaching, mentoring, or leadership.
  • Helped strengthen and promote British craftsmanship in the UK and internationally.

Those submitting a nomination should provide supporting materials, such as a short summary of the nominee’s career, their key achievements and contributions, and any supporting evidence that shows their influence or legacy, such as testimonials, press coverage, or images and links to works and achievements.

The single recipient of the LAA will receive an engraved medal, produced by the award’s long-term sponsor Thomas Fattorini Ltd., a leading UK designer-maker of awards, trophies, ceremonial swords, civic insignia, medals and name badges. Each recipient also adds their name to the Book of Trade Life, a growing record that will one day serve as a valuable reflection of our industry’s shared history.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award was created to celebrate the living treasures within our diverse community – those who stand as pillars of expertise and have devoted their lives to the craft,” says Tom Fattorini, managing director of Fattorini Ltd. “By recognising these remarkable individuals, we not only honour their achievements but also highlight the depth, breadth, and richness of our industry for generations to come.”

The closing date for Lifetime Achievement Award nominations is midnight on Sunday 30 August 2026.

View The Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Council

Source: Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Council