The Goldsmiths’ Centre helps five emerging jewellery businesses to grow through its Business Catalyst (Small) Grants 2024
Today the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London revealed the five emerging jewellery businesses, Ana Thompson, Clare Maiden, Matilde Mozzanega, Rachael Plassard, and Roxanne Gilbert, to each receive £1,000 (including VAT) in the second 2024 round Business Catalyst (Small) Grants.
These grants, funded by philanthropic giving from the current members of the Goldsmiths’ Company, are a vital part of the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s mission to foster capability at every link in the chain, ensuring the growth of creative businesses in their early development stages. The grants support these makers to develop their businesses by improving their processes, expanding their capabilities, and connecting more effectively with customers by funding new equipment, product development, and process improvements.
Chosen by the Goldsmiths’ Centre team and a selection panel of industry experts: Bettina Boerner, previous Head of Manufacturing at DeBeers Jewellers, and Jayant Raniga, CEO at PureJewels, all grant recipients have recently completed or undertaken formal mentoring programmes, business consultancy, or business diagnostic programmes, including the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s, showcasing their dedication to developing their business plans.
London-based award-winning designer Ana Thompson will use her Business Catalyst (Small) Grant for purchase of a 3D printer, enabling her to streamline her prototyping process and enhance customer engagement by integrating a customisation feature on her website. Clare Maiden will gain the ability to refine her Cornwall-inspired designs and streamline her production processes by purchasing a 3D printer, which will also enable her to offer bespoke services to local businesses, thereby promoting sustainability. Meanwhile, Sarabande based Matilde Mozzanega will restyle her website, which includes a Shopify app add-on to support interchangeability within her designs. Rachael Plassard will enhance her technical skills through advanced one to one workshops, enabling her to incorporate more complex and bespoke designs into her collections. Lastly, Roxanne Gilbert in Cornwall will create a new e-commerce website to boost sales and customer trust, improving her online presence and supporting her business expansion.
“The Business Catalyst (Small) Grants are a crucial way for us to support emerging jewellery and silversmithing businesses as they grow. By providing funding for tools, skills, and platforms, we’re helping these makers to successfully establish their business. A big thank you to the members of the Goldsmiths’ Company for making this possible. We know financial support for early-stage businesses can be hard to come by, so we’re excited to help these talented makers take their next steps, and we can’t wait to see how they progress.”
– Julia Skilton, Grants and Engagement Manager at the Goldsmiths’ Centre
“I'm absolutely thrilled to have received a Business Catalyst (Small) Grant. Thank you so much. I can't wait to get started on creating my designs. I’m absolutely over the moon!”
– Business Catalyst (Small) Grant recipient jeweller Rachael Plassard
Throughout the year, the Goldsmiths’ Centre team offers online information sessions where potential applicants can discuss their ideas and determine if their applications are a good fit. The deadline for round one of next year’s Business Catalyst (Small) Grants 2025 is Sunday 20 April 2025 at 5pm.
To learn more, visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org/apply-for-grants/business-catalyst-small-grants