WRi Group make their mark as Touchstone Award winners

11 Jul 2022

Photographs by: Simon Callaghan photography

On June 16th, in front of a packed audience at the Mercure Grand Hotel in Bristol, the WRi Group won the prestigious British Hallmarking Council's Touchstone Award for their outstanding contribution to hallmarking compliance - the first time the award has been given to a private organisation.

Sponsored by the four UK Assay Offices and the National Association of Jewellers, the Association for the whole jewellery industry, the Touchstone Award recognises teams and businesses who deliver the most effective enforcement or educational initiative related to hallmarking.

The award was officially presented at the CTSI Conference in Bristol by new NAJ Chair Heather Callaway.

Photographs by: Simon Callaghan photography

The British Hallmarking Council, which administers the award, said,

"The British Hallmarking Council runs the Touchstone Award in collaboration with the National Association of Jewellers each year to recognise innovative activity and excellence relating to hallmarking compliance.

"This year, the WRi Group received a Special Recognition Award for their outstanding contribution to hallmarking compliance. WRi carried out two separate monitoring exercises to understand the threat posed by online traders selling fake gold and jewellery. This work has informed activity by the BHC and Trading Standards teams and has been one of the building blocks for the new digital Dealers Notice and the BHC's new HALO Award for innovation in hallmarking awareness and learning online."

NAJ Chair Heather Callaway stated,

"The NAJ is delighted to help sponsor such a significant award. Hallmarking is a vital strand of consumer protection for the jewellery industry. WRi's work in this matter, and their involvement in two important hallmarking initiatives, have made them worthy winners."

Reflecting on WRi' Groups win, CEO and Co-founder Graham T. Mogg LLM MCTSI said,

"This recognition, by the BHC, of our support to them over several years, identifying the scope and scale of the online threat from the sale of infringing gold products is greatly appreciated and acknowledges the diverse services provided by WRi Group. Thank you, BHC, for this award."

Visit WRi Group

Discover more about the Touchstone Award

Source: National Association of Jewellers