From Training to Excellence: Foundation Programme Trainees & Apprentices Take Home Top Honours at the GC&DC Awards 2025
At the Goldsmiths’ Centre, we’re immensely proud of our community’s outstanding achievements at the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) 2025 Awards. This prestigious competition celebrates excellence in craftsmanship and design across the UK’s goldsmithing, silversmithing, and allied industries. Held at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Hall in London on Monday 3rd March 2025, the awards showcased the remarkable success of our Foundation Programme trainees and Goldsmiths’ Company apprentices across multiple award categories. This success is a testament to our tutors, who provide high-quality technical training and our apprentice employers, who pass on their skills to the next generation of industry professionals, preparing them for lifelong careers in the industry.
Industry-Wide Recognition: Honouring Our Winners
In front of an audience of over 300 guests – including representatives from world-renowned jewellery houses, industry associations, leading designers, and the UK press – our Foundation Programme trainees, apprentices and three of the training programmes’ tutors, Elsa Tierney, Rupert Todd and Janet Weller FIPG, were recognised by the industry on this prestigious stage.
Our award recipients showcased excellence across silversmithing, engraving, setting, chasing, diamond mounting, and design. Among the winners, three of our apprentices received major awards, and Blythe Jolley-Ellis became one of the youngest ever contenders for the prestigious Jacques Cartier Memorial Award – the premier accolade within the industry.
“What I love most about this industry is the process of creating something from scratch. You start with a piece of metal, shape and assemble different parts, and then suddenly, you have a finished piece. It’s amazing to step back and think, "Wow, I made that," and knowing that someone will appreciate it makes it even better.”
– Blythe shares her passion for the industry
These awards celebrate creativity, precision, and technical excellence, showcasing how the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Foundation Programme and Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Day Release training, supported by our exceptional teaching team, are delivering outstanding results and helping to close the jewellery industry’s skills gap.
Our Award-Winning Foundation Programme Trainees and Apprentices
Amy Wiedmer: Foundation Programme 2024/25
- 2D Design (Silver)
Raphael Moreau: Foundation Programme 2023/24
- 3D Craft Chasers (Bronze)
Krishnan Vara: Foundation Programme 2023/24 and first year Diamond Mounting Apprentice at Bobby White London
- 3D Craft Diamond Mounters (Bronze & Silver)
Amy Wiedmer on Foundation Programme 2024/25
Amy Wiedmer: 2D Design (Silver) GC&DC Awards 2024/25
Blythe Jolley-Ellis: Foundation Programme 2022/23 and second Year Diamond Mounting Apprentice at E Wolfe & Co
- 3D Craft Diamond Mounters (Gold)
- Theo Fennell Apprentice & Master Award
- The Junior Award
Blythe Jolley-Ellis on Foundation Programme 2022/23
Blythe Jolley-Ellis: 3D Craft Diamond Mounters (Gold), Theo Fennell Apprentice & Master Award &The Junior Award winner at GC&DC Awards 2024/25
Isabel Freeman: Foundation Programme 2021/22 and third Year Engraving Apprentice at Sam James Engraving Ltd
- 3D Craft Engravers, Die Sinkers & Seal Engravers (Silver)
- The Podolsky Award
Isabel Freeman on Foundation Programme 2021/22
Isabel Freeman: 3D Craft Engravers, Die Sinkers & Seal Engravers (Silver) & The Podolsky Award at GC&DC Awards 2024/25
Esther Ilett: Foundation Programme 2020/21 and third Year Diamond Mounting Apprentice at Cartier Ltd
- 3D Craft Chasers (Silver)
Alice Baker-Russell: Foundation Programme 2016/17 and fourth Year Apprentice at Ottewill Silversmiths
- 3D Craft Chasers (Bronze)
Dan Bollard: Fourth Year Apprentice at Thomas Lyte
- 3D Craft Silversmiths Craft (Bronze)
- 3D Craft & Design Handcrafted Silverware (Silver)
Josh Hook: Foundation Programme 2020/21 and fourth Year Diamond Mounting Apprentice at Dominic Walmsley:
- 3D Craft Diamond Mounters (Gold)
Alysha Strong: Foundation Programme 2020/21 and fourth Year Setting Apprentice at Summers Diamond Setting:
- 3D Craft Setters (Silver)
Luke Potts: Foundation Programme 2019/20 and recently completed Apprentice at Ottewill Silversmiths:
- 3D Craft Silversmiths’ Craft (Gold)
- 3D Craft & Design Handcrafted Silverware (Silver)
The Goldsmiths’ Centre also secured Bronze in the College Trophy for its Jewellery Foundation Programme trainees, highlighting the collective talent and dedication of our students.
Luke Potts on Foundation Programme 2019/20
Luke Potts: 3D Craft Silversmiths’ Craft (Gold) & 3D Craft & Design Handcrafted Silverware (Silver) Award at GC&DC Awards 2024/25
Looking Ahead: Shaping the Future of Goldsmithing
At the Goldsmiths’ Centre, we’re committed to nurturing the next generation of skilled craftspeople and designers. The achievements across our community at the 2025 GC&DC Awards reaffirm our mission to bridge the skills gap in the industry and promote craftsmanship at the highest level.
For those inspired by our winners and interested in developing their skills in goldsmithing, silversmithing, or jewellery design, we invite you to explore our training programmes. Whether you are an aspiring apprentice or an experienced craftsperson looking to refine your techniques, the Goldsmiths’ Centre provides an unparalleled learning environment.
Strengthening Industry Engagement: Partner with Us
The jewellery industry thrives when expertise is nurtured and shared. Our success is driven by strong industry collaboration, enabling us to ensure that traditional craftsmanship and innovation work together to keep the UK at the forefront of the trade.
We invite businesses to engage with our training programmes through work experience, mentorship, or feedback helping us equip young professionals with the skills needed in today’s workshops.
To get involved, contact professionaltraining@goldsmiths-centre.org
Experience the Award-Winning Work
A free exhibition showcasing all 2025 award-winning pieces will be open to the public at Goldsmiths’ Hall until Friday 7 March, with guided tours available. The exhibition will then travel to:
- Assay Office Birmingham from 25 to 27 March, featuring a series of talks and open days.
- The Goldsmiths’ Centre from 2 July to 11 September 2025, Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm, featuring a programme of events.