UK Jewellery, Silverware and Allied Crafts Industry welcome New Secretary and Minister of State

25 Jul 2024

The UK Jewellery, Silverware and Allied Crafts industry welcomes the appointment of Lisa Nandy MP and Sir Chris Bryant MP as new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Minister of State (DCMS), respectively.

In letters to both ministers, the industry-wide group expressed its desire to continue open communications with the government to help drive the jewellery, silverware and allied trades forward.

View welcome letter to DCMS Secretary of State Lisa Nandy MP

View welcome letter to DCMS Minister of State Sir Chris Bryant MP

Back in February, then shadow minister Sir Chris Bryant approached the National Association of Jewellers to host an industry-wide roundtable to better understand the industry's challenges, needs and opportunities. 25 individuals representing businesses and institutions throughout the breadth of the trade came together to outline the state of the industry and, in collaboration, its future direction.

The industry group is keen to keep Sir Chris Bryant and the DCMS department up to speed on the progress and ongoing work.

NAJ chief executive Ben Massey shares,

"As a group, we welcome Lisa Nandy MP and Sir Chris Bryant MP. We are keen to continue the open dialogue and look forward to continuing a direct liaison. 

"All roundtable participants have expressed their desire for progress through collaboration and we are now starting to look at some of the projects in greater detail. There are challenges that not only affect our industry but many others, too. For these issues, such as the economy and skills, we want to make sure our collective voice is heard by government with clarity and enthusiasm."

During the most recent roundtable meeting in June, the group progressed across the four facets identified initially during the first gathering - Economics, People, Process and Sector Specific Issues. 

Progress included agreeing on the development of a state-of-trade indicator tool for the industry to access; preparing an industry report that illustrates the reach, impact, and value-added the industry contributes; carrying out a strategic mapping exercise of skills gaps and building a careers website to attract new talent into the industry.

To ensure the roundtable is as representative as possible, the group are asking for bodies and organisations not currently represented to get involved by emailing membership@naj.co.uk

The letter signed by Ben Massey, NAJ chief executive officer, on behalf of...

• Adam Jacobs, National Association of Jewellers (Independent Trade Body/ retailer)
• Annie Warburton, The Goldsmiths Company (Industry Livery Company)
• Rebecca Skeels, Birmingham City University (Education)
• Rebecca van Rooijen, Benchpeg (Education/ craft skills)
• Sally Leonard, Centa/ The Garden Club (Service Provider)
• Joanna Hardy, The Goldsmiths Company (Industry Livery Company)
• Andrew Hinds, F Hinds (Multiple retailer)
• Chris Oliver, The Goldsmiths Centre (Education)
• John Ball, Brown & Newirth (Manufacturer)
• Marie Garnett, National Association of Jewellers (Education)
• Peter Crump, VIPA Designs (Manufacturer)
• Darren Sherwood, Sherwood Jewellery (Craft design)
• Harriet Kelsall, HK Bespoke Jewellery (Craft design/ Retail)
• Sally Dodson, Hand Engraving Association (Craft skill)
• Ben Ryan, Independent Silversmith (Independent Silversmith)
• David Troostwyk, London Diamond Bourse (Trade body/ Source material supplier)
• Raluca Anghel, Natural Diamond Council (Trade body)
• Karin Paynter, Independent Consultant / Fellow (Education/ craft skills)
• Emmet Cummins, Company of Master Jewellers (Trade body)
• Janet Weller FIPG, Institute of Professional Goldsmiths (Craft skills)
• Isabel Rhodes, Houlden Group Retail (Trade body)
• Will Evans, Assay Master (Trade body)
• Katie Gillespie, National Association of Jewellers (Trade body)
• James Trevett, Domino/ Weston Beamor (Manufacturer)
• Noel Hunter, British Hallmarking Council (Trade body)
• Heather Callaway FIRV, Institute of Registered Valuers (Craft Valuer/ Trade Body)
• Karine Lepeuple, Goldsmiths Centre Education

Source: National Association of Jewellers