MONTH IN REVIEW
www.jewelleryfocus.co.uk
APPOINTMENTS
Institute of
Professional
Goldsmiths
appoints new
chairman
The Institute of Professional
Goldsmiths (IPG) has appointed
Russell Lownsbrough as its new
chairman, at it’s 36th AGM.
According to the organisation, the
appointment at the meeting was
“universal approval by attendees”. Wayne
Meeten Danila Tarcinale were also
appointed to its executive committee.
Additionally, the members attending
the AGM were informed of the
IPG’s activities and the efforts of the
committee. Most significant amongst
these being the mentoring scheme
recently set up with funding from
the Goldsmith’s Centre with the pilot
currently in progress.
The Institute has also secured a range
of discount deals with suppliers, which
it says will “significantly [increase]
member benefits, mainly thanks to the
two new committee members”.
Commenting on his appointment,
Lownsbrough said: “It’s a great honour
to accept this role in an organisation as
prestigious as the IPG, especially at a
very exciting time for time for us. We have
a great mix of energy and experience in
the executive at the moment.
“I look forward to helping steer the
Institute into the future. We’ve had
good membership growth over the
last couple of years. We’ve vastly
increased our engagement with
social media and become much more
outward looking.”
He added: “We’re also looking at
extending our range social events,
which will provide great networking
opportunities. Our website, www.
ipgoldsmiths.com, now features an
updated search function allowing
searches by name, region or skill.”
IPG is an organisation that promotes
and supports craftspeople of the
“highest calibre”, who produce only the
“finest workmanship”.
10 JEWELLERY FOCUS
1
EVENTS
New northern
jewellery and
silversmithing
show announced
A new northern contemporary jewellery
and silversmithing show has been
announced to be held at the historic
Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield as the back-
drop for a new precious metals selling
fair, the first of its kind in the region.
Goldsmiths North will build on the
success of The Goldsmiths’ Fair in
London and the Elements Festival of
Jewellery, Silver & Gold in Edinburgh
when it takes place from 12 - 14 July.
The new show will bring the “best of
designer jewellery and silversmithing
from the UK and Europe” to the north
of England and is expected to attract
over 2000 visitors.
Exhibitors already announced
include Bryony Knox, and Charlotte
Tollyfield, the Sheffield silversmith
who was commissioned to make the
centre piece for the winner’s trophy
for Doncaster Racecourse’s St Ledger
Stakes in 2018.
Organised by leading Contemporary
British Silversmith, Brett Payne and
Rebecca Joselyn, Freeman of The
Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths,
the show is being supported by The
Goldsmiths’ Company, The Sheffield
Assay Office and The Company of
Cutlers in Hallamshire.
Payne said: “We’re delighted to bring
over 60 specially selected jewellers and
silversmiths to the finest livery hall in
the north of England, representing the
best work currently being designed and
made across the UK and beyond. We
want to offer visitors a unique shopping
experience not available to them on the
high street - a chance to engage with
and buy direct from the makers.”
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8
CRIME
Diamond tycoon
Nirav Modi
arrested in UK
Diamond tycoon Nirav Modi has been
arrested in the UK, after being accused
of “cheating” state-owned Punjab
National Bank (PNB) out of nearly $2bn
(£1.5bn) last year.
Modi, 48, was arrested in London
on Tuesday and appeared at
Westminster Magistrates Court today
(20 March), with the BBC saying the
arrest was made on behalf of the
Indian authorities, which asked for his
extradition.
According to reports he is alleged
to have worked with bank employees
to obtain huge unsecured loans over
a seven-year period, according to a
complaint filed by PNB.
The borrowed funds caused shares
in the bank to fall this week. According
to PNB, some of the loans were used
to “replenish lines of credit” with
other lenders, and the scam could
have “wider ramifications” for India’s
banking sector.
He flew out of the country along
with his family on 1 January 2018. Modi
is a third-generation jewellery tycoon
whose clients have included Kate
Winslet and Priyanka Chopra.
STAT OF
THE MONTH
£65.2bn
That’s the total amount
made from global diamond
jewellery sales in 2018, a 4%
increase compared with the
previous year
April 2019 | jewelleryfocus.co.uk