Brian Hill Awarded Outstanding Contribution to Industry

Brian Hill, Consultant Secretary of the Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council, has been honoured with the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Industry Award at this year’s UK Jewellery Awards.

Held at the Honourable Artillery Club in London, the evening recognised a series of design, retail and marketing talent working in the UK industry, culminating with the Outstanding Contribution Award, awarded to Brian Hill for his 52 years of commitment and drive to promote, advance and future-proof skills and talent in the UK jewellery, silversmithing and allied trades.

Ruth Faulkner, editor of Retail Jeweller magazine, which organises and presents the UK Jewellery Awards, introduced Brian with a celebratory speech. She said: “Having started his career in jewellery and silversmithing in 1966, Brian remains as committed to the trade today as he ever has been. All of those that know, were taught by or have worked with Brian talk about him with a huge amount of affection and warmth, describing him as extremely dedicated and generous. A man with a big heart, who takes great pride in what he does. One of life’s true gentlemen.”

Receiving a standing ovation, Brain took to the stage to receive his engraved trophy, describing his appreciation of the accolade.

He said: “I am really proud to be this year’s recipient, and delighted that the work I do has been recognised and deemed worthy of such a prestigious award. My love affair with the jewellery industry started 52 years ago, and I still find myself heavily involved, motivated and inspired to do good things, educate and encourage many to catch the bug and make it their careers. Over this time, I have worked to some founding principles that have been the bedrock to my work. These have served me well and in essence include: work hard, have ambition, show good practice, work to high standards, enthuse with others, and never say never in anything you aim for and seek to achieve.”

The award comes as the GC&DC celebrates a series of milestones. In 2018, the Council is celebrating its 110th anniversary, 60 years of partnership with principle patron Cartier for the Jacques Cartier Memorial Award, and 10 years of the GC&DC’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Brian Hill has also recently been appointed to a trade advisory panel that will help shape the future of education and training at the Goldsmiths’ Centre. He has also just been appointed to International Jewellery London’s Advisory Board.

Andrew Putland, chairman of the GC&DC and co-author with Hill on the book Silversmithing: A Contemporary Guide to Making, said: “Having known Brian for 38 years, it’s fantastic that he has received this award as he really has made a huge ‘outstanding contribution’ to our industry and continues to do so on a daily basis.”

The GC&DC continues develop its awards for 2018/19. The Council will be at IJL this September with a stand and new promotion celebrating UK-based jewellery talent.