PRESS RELEASE: 2026 NAJ Award Winners Revealed

More than 380 guests came together to celebrate the winners of the 2026 NAJ Awards on Thursday, 8th October, as the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) recognised the great people, great businesses and great ideas driving the UK jewellery trade forward.

Held at the ICC in Birmingham in partnership with headline sponsor Curteis, this year’s Awards welcomed a record-breaking number of businesses, bringing together representatives from across the industry for an evening of celebration and recognition.

Across 15 categories, individuals and businesses were recognised for their achievements, innovation, and contribution to the trade, highlighting the breadth of talent and excellence across the UK jewellery industry.

Fifteen category sponsors joined Curteis in supporting the Awards: Cooksongold, TH March, National Business Register, SGS, At The Bench, TI SENTO, Bespoke Quarter, JQV Gemstones, The Jewellery Show, Squash Media Group, CMJ,  Retail Jeweller, Emrise, UK Protection and Visionary Displays.

They were joined by supporting sponsors AG Group and Sheffield Assay Office, and partner British Allied Trades Federation.

The event raised vital funds for three industry charities – The Benevolent Society, NAJ Educational Trust and the Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity.

Reflecting on the evening, NAJ Chief Executive Ben Massey said,

“What a fantastic and fun evening, and a brilliant opportunity to bring so many people from the NAJ membership community together. Congratulations to every one of our winners, highly commended recipients and finalists. Their achievements demonstrate the talent, commitment and ambition that continue to make members’ businesses so special.

“My sincere thanks also go to our sponsors, charity partners and everyone who joined us at the ICC. Their support helped make this a memorable celebration, and it was wonderful to recognise so many great businesses, great people and great ideas in one room.”

The NAJ Awards will return to the ICC on Thursday, 21st October 2027.

The complete list of 2026 NAJ Awards winners and highly commended recipients can be seen below:

2026 NAJ Awards Winners

GREAT IDEAS (supporting Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity)

Collection of the Year (sponsored by Emrise)

WINNER: Giovanni Raspini

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lenaginarium

Community Engagement of the Year (sponsored by UK Protection)

WINNER: Aston University Goldsmiths Institute

Digital Engagement of the Year (sponsored by Squash Media Group)

WINNER: Wildring

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Antique Jewellers

ESG Initiative of the Year (sponsored by SGS)

WINNER: Gemmology Rocks

Store Design of the Year (sponsored by Visionary Displays)

WINNER: Sheila Fleet Jewellery

GREAT PEOPLE (supporting NAJ Educational Trust)

Customer Champion of the Year (sponsored by Cooksongold)

WINNER: Richard Allen (Pepper Tree Studio)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Laura Bendoni (Jeremy France Jewellers)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Marie Brennan (Birmingham Assay Office)

Designer of the Year (sponsored by The National Business Register)

WINNER: Xiaoyu Li (Xiaoyu Li Jewellery)

Rising Star of the Year (sponsored by The Company of Master Jewellers)

WINNER: Katie Mason (Birmingham City University)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Charlotte Copeman (Lily Arkwright)

Unsung Hero of the Year (sponsored by JQV Gemstones)

WINNER: Sam Cavell (Weston Beamor)

Workshop Professional of the Year (sponsored by At The Bench)

WINNER: Lucy Stokes (Libby Rak Jewellery)

GREAT BUSINESSES supporting The Benevolent Society

Bespoke Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Bespoke Quarter)

WINNER: Moira Patience

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Blackacre

Jewellery Retailer of the Year (sponsored by TI SENTO)

WINNER: Ainsworth Jewellers

Product Supplier of the Year (sponsored by Jewellery Show)

WINNER: HS Walsh & Sons

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Allied Gold

Service Supplier of the Year (sponsored by Retail Jeweller)

WINNER: Jewellers Academy, Yorkshire

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Gemmology Rocks

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Squash Media Group

Team of the Year (sponsored by TH March)

WINNER: Sonny’s Jewellers Group

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Siop iard

Also on the night, Sammantha Maclachlan was presented with the David Wilkins Award. The award is the pinnacle of achievement for any jewellery valuer, recognising outstanding contributions to the trade and the valuing community.

Ian Cookson from PA Jewellery was awarded the inaugural NAJ Retail Network Member of the Year. This award recognises contributions to the retail community group, the NAJ Retail Network.

About the NAJ

We are the leading voice for the UK Jewellery industry, shaping the way for our 1500 member companies employing 24,000 people. We protect, promote and prepare our members to make them Fit for the Future. The Association was formed in 2015 through the unification of the British Jewellers' Association (BJA) and National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG). The Institute of Registered Valuers is also part of the NAJ family, comprised of around 100 professional valuers with formal qualifications and substantial experience. Every NAJ member is required to abide by the NAJ's Code of Conduct - based on honesty, integrity and professionalism. 

www.naj.co.uk