Bishopsland Educational Trust announces Angela Cork’s appointment as Principal

Pope Makower, Founder of the Trust, is stepping down thirty years after creating, with her husband Oliver, the Bishopsland programme.  The Trustees are delighted that she has accepted the role of Principal Emeritus.  At a special reception at Goldsmiths’ Hall in June 2023 to celebrate Pope and Oliver’s lifetime achievement, and to look forward to the future of Bishopsland, she will formally hand over the baton to Angela.

Angela excelled through the three-stage interview process with her unrivalled professional understanding of the challenges facing emerging makers, her technical proficiency and design excellence alongside her ability to sustain the passion and confidence young makers need as they establish their silversmithing careers.  The Trustees felt her commitment to handing on professional craft skills, knowledge of modern making, the education sector and digital practices aligned with the Trust’s own commitment to ensure the charity thrives for the next thirty years.

As Principal Angela will oversee the design and skills provision of the charity’s educational programme, paying special attention to enabling each attendee to achieve a significant leap forward in their mastery of hand skills.  Angela will be ably supported by existing Artist in Residence Jonathan Stokes, whose impact in his first year with the Trust has positively benefited the current cohort.  She will work closely with Claire Murdoch, CEO, and with the 20+ professional and industry-based master craftspeople who deliver sessional masterclasses and tutorials as part of the programme.

“The Trustees have chosen a first-rate maker in Angela.  She has excellent design and making skills and will pass on her experience and knowledge with passion and care.  Angela, Claire and the Trustees will be a highly proficient team as the Bishopsland Educational Trust now goes forward and Oliver and I step back.  We wish them every good fortune.” Pope Makeower commented.

Angela is one of the UK’s leading silversmiths whose distinctive and beautiful pieces are collected around the world.  Her work is shown extensively both nationally and internationally in prestigious galleries, museums and exhibitions and features in several private and public collections.  She is the leading member of the Five Collective who recently featured at Eye of the Collector and Collect. Recent notable commissions include pieces for the Goldsmiths’ Company collection and Henley Royal Regatta.

A Royal College of Art alumna, she has held varied teaching roles across the industry and led the development of the Skills Training Programme for Contemporary British Silversmiths.  She is a Bishopsland Fellow, having attended the programme 1998-2000 and she has been a Bishopsland tutor for over ten years.  She is former Chair of Contemporary British Silversmiths, a Liveryman of the Goldsmiths’ Company and a Trustee of the South Square Trust.

"I am beyond thrilled to be taking up the position of Principal at Bishopsland. Having directly benefitted from the opportunity given to me there, I am honoured to be able to be able to give back.  The legacy that Pope and Oliver created has benefitted so many young people and allowed them to develop professional, technical and design skills leading to rewarding and financially viable careers.  I look forward to working with the team at Bishopsland and its partners and leading the programme into its next stage.” commented Angela.

Bishopsland Educational Trust is an internationally recognised and accredited charity dedicated to the training and education of young people in the craft of silversmithing in the United Kingdom.

As a charity, we have nurtured the careers of over 200 silversmiths and jewellers over the last 30 years, the majority of whom have gone on to develop sustainable businesses.Today, our society of Fellows are some of the foremost craftspeople in their field.  They continue to pass their skills onto others and contribute to maintaining excellence within Britain’s craft, trade and industry.

With the support of our funders, we have been able to award over £300k in bursaries to talented craftspeople regardless of background, means or academic ability.  Our one- or two-year immersive residential training programmes continue to provide a much-needed bridge between education and a career as a maker.  Our inherent understanding of creativity and vocational skills training has developed over many years and is a proven formula for success.

As a charity, we continue to support our Fellows throughout their careers, offering opportunities for exhibitions, collaborations, commissions and routes to market through our extensive network.  We believe wholeheartedly in supporting silversmithing, jewellery and the allied trades through the retention and underpinning of vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts.

The charity is at an exciting moment in its history as the founders, the Makower Family, pass the baton to the next generation of custodians of vocational skills training within the sector.  The charity, guided by experts in their field, is committed to building on the incredible legacy of the founders.  Together, we can ensure that these skills are protected and passed down for future generations to enjoy. 

Find out more at www.bishopsland.org.uk or contact bishopsland@bishopsland.org.uk