Tutor's Day & Industry Liasion Day powered by Benchpeg + New Designers

Benchpeg is thrilled to announce that it has partnered with New Designers, the 40 year old annual graduate design showcase event, to deliver ‘ND Educates’ at this year’s edition. 

The Initiative

The brand new initiative is born out of the visits Benchpeg made last year to a range of further education (FE) and higher education (HE) institutions and training facilities. Speaking to educationalists, lecturers and tutors in jewellery, silversmithing, the allied crafts and design, a constant theme emerged – that of connectivity, communication and community. Feedback from those in education was that a time and space for connectivity amongst national colleagues was desired, to enable conversation and knowledge transfer and the ability to discuss current challenges in the educational and training landscape and possible solutions.

New Designers

New Designers is the natural home to convene such an opportunity and they have placed the Benchpeg initiative at the heart of New Designers 2026 as the ‘ND Educates’ programme. The programme, as part of the opening day of the event has a Tutor’s Day emphasis which will include Industry Liaison from 12pm on Wednesday 1st July 2026 and will culminate in a education and industry focused networking reception supported by the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office, which will naturally evolve into the main New Designers Awards Evening.

The afternoon will provide the opportunity to have a guided personal tour of the graduate show specifically looking at jewellery, silverware, horology and allied crafts, time specifically devoted for education networking and connectivity, followed by a presentation on a successful education + industry partnership model, finishing with an interactive panel discussion on education’s readiness for industry. Afterwards there will be the opportunity to connect with education and industry colleagues at the London Assay Office supported reception.

ND Educates

The dedicated programme on Wednesday will bring together education leaders, lecturers, tutors and industry experts for seminars and networking sessions facilitated by Benchpeg. The discussions will address key challenges facing jewellery, silversmithing and allied crafts education and hand skills training, particularly in precious metals. Confirmed participants [to date] include Andy Howard and Katy Tromans of the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University, Paul Savage, Workshop Manager at Cartier [English Art Works], Angela Cork of Bishopsland, and Peter Crump of Vipa Designs with Nicky Dewar, Director of Programmes at the Crafts Council chairing the panel discussion.

This marks the first tutor focused event of its kind at New Designers with an additional industry liaison dimension to link education with employment and future career pathways, with potential to expand into other disciplines in future editions.

Also as Part of the Day

In addition, as part of the day, The Association for Contemporary Jewellery will be providing guided tours and introductions for industry to graduates of jewellery, silverware, horology and metal disciplines of course graduates on the show floor for attendees. 

The Goldsmiths Centre will judge their ND Award as part of the tour element of the day's programme.

A special thank you has to be given for the support in organising the event to London Assay Office, who is sponsoring the education and industry networking reception as part of the event, which is hugely appreciated.

Sally Bent, Event Director of New Designers, commented: “We’re excited to platform the new one week format for the first time this year. It demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of design today. As graduates enter a challenging job market and AI brings a new dimension to the work landscape, New Designers remain committed to championing students by giving them a platform to present their work to the industry, while connecting visitors with the full breadth of UK design talent.”

Rebecca van Rooijen of Benchpeg said: “We are in the most privileged position of being able to talk to all members of our craft, trade and industry, and our discussions with education colleagues presented a huge opportunity to use Benchpeg’s convening power for good in connecting people – which is what we do best. Bringing educationalists, graduating talent and the craft, trade and industry together to promote connectivity and communication can only strengthen our community.”

Free Entry - Register to Attend

The event is open to educators, lecturers, tutors, trainers as well as Industry - employers, businesses and particularly manufacturers.

You still have time to register for the event - just email info@benchpeg.com to register

New Designers + Benchpeg
Tutor’s Day + Industry Liaison
12pm, Wednesday 1st July 2026
Business Design Centre, Islington, London

Schedule

Meet Graduating Talent
12pm – 1.15pm
Location: Meet at Theatre Space then tour of show floor
Directors of the Association of Cntemporary Jewelelry will provide guided tours and introductions for industry to graduates of jewellery, silverware, horology and metal disciplines of course graduates on the show floor.
The Goldsmiths Centre will select its “One to Watch” Award which includes a place on the Getting Started programme during the tour.

Educationalists Networking Session
1.15pm – 2.45pm
Location: Theatre Space and immediate break out area
Facilitated convening time + space for tutors, lecturers and educationalists.
A time and space to meet and network informally with colleagues and other tutors nationally.

Talk - Education and industry partnerships
3pm – 3.45pm

Location: Talks Theatre

A presentation demonstrating how a set of courses have endeavoured to maintain industry relevance by entering into a partnership with business.
With Katy Tromans and Andy Howard of Birmingham’s School of Jewellery and Paul Savage of Cartier.
Discussion and Q&As welcome.

Panel Discussion - J,S&AC education and skills training and industry readiness          

4pm – 4.45pm    

Location: Talks Theatre                

Chaired by Nicky Dewar, Director of Programmes at the Crafts Council with the panel including Sally Leonard, Business Consultant, Creative Industries at Centa; Angela Cork, Principal, Bishopsland Educational Trust; and Peter Crump, Managing Director, Vipa Designs in relation to skills relevancy and an ever changing educational landscape.
Discussion and Q&As welcome.

www.newdesigners.com

Education and Industry reception + networking - Sponsored by the Assay Office London

5pm – 6pm

Location: Talks Theatre and immediate breakout area

Schools educators, FE tutors, and HE lecturers and members of the craft, trade and industry are invited to a sector specific reception to promote connectivity and networking between educators and industry.

6pm – onwards   

New Designers Awards Evening

Location: Whole show

The event will naturally evolve into the main New Designers Awards Evening where awards are announced and a whole venue reception is held.

Free Entry - Register to Attend

The event is open to educators, lecturers, tutors, trainers as well as Industry - employers, businesses and particularly manufacturers.

You still have time to register for the event - just email info@benchpeg.com to register