Business Catalyst (Small) Grants

The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Business Catalyst (Small) Grants Help Early-Stage Businesses to Invest in Tools for Growth and Quality

• The Goldsmiths’ Centre has awarded its second round of Business Catalyst (Small) Grants to five exceptional early-stage jewellery and silversmithing businesses, funded via the Goldsmiths’ Foundation.

• Each £1,000 grant will enable Monica Findlay, Freya Douglas Ferguson, Heather Blake, Bridget Lesedeti and Carraic O’Donnell to invest in essential tools to enhance production, expand product ranges, and advance their businesses.

• The recipients have recently completed mentoring, consultancy, or diagnostic programmes, including those at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, demonstrating their commitment to growing their businesses.

Now in its third year, the Goldsmiths’ Centre has announced the recipients of its second round of Business Catalyst (Small) Grants – a grants initiative that supports emerging designers and makers within the UK jewellery and silversmithing industry to build commercially viable businesses. All 2025 recipients are investing their grants in essential tools and equipment to expand production and refine their craft. Funded via the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, the grants have been awarded to five outstanding early-stage businesses: Monica Findlay, Freya Douglas Ferguson, Heather Blake, Bridget Lesedeti and Carraic O’Donnell.

Chosen by the Goldsmiths’ Centre team alongside guest judges Bettina Boerner, Senior Director at House of Gubelin and Jayant Raniga, CEO of PureJewels by Bhanji Gokaldas, each recipient of the £1,000 Business Catalyst (Small) Grant has demonstrated a strong commitment to growing their business. These talented makers have recently completed or participated in formal mentoring, business consultancy, or diagnostic programmes, including those offered by the Goldsmiths’ Centre, putting their business plans into action.

Monica Findlay will use her grant to transition from producing smaller, income-sustaining pieces to creating ambitious silversmithing work, enabling investment in core tools and establishing a sustainable independent studio practice. London-based Freya Douglas Ferguson, who merges sculpture and jewellery in her practice through advanced metalworking techniques, will invest in a rolling mill that will enable greater creative ambition and technical refinement. Having cultivated a profound passion for stone, Heather Blake plans to acquire an engraver spindle to expand the scope of her lapidary work and showcase it at the heart of her collection. Bridget Lesetedi will build on business mentorship gained in 2025 to purchase essential equipment, bring production in-house, reduce costs, improve quality control and turnaround times, and support business growth and wider industry services. Over the past year, Carraic O’Donnell has sought tailored mentoring and professional guidance to strategically grow his business, and he plans to use the grant to purchase essential tools that will ensure consistent quality and meet increasing demand across his jewellery production.

Julia Skilton, Grants and Engagement Manager of the Goldsmiths’ Centre, explains: “This year’s grant recipients are investing in essential tools and equipment to increase production and help preserve endangered skills like silversmithing. Thanks to the generous support via the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, the Business Catalyst (Small) Grants provide focused investment that makes a real impact. These makers’ unique vision and dedication will be strengthened, helping them build resilient businesses in the jewellery industry.”

To learn more about the Business Catalyst (Small) Grants and how to apply, please register your interest at www.goldsmiths-centre.org/apply-for-grants/business-catalyst-small-grants

About the Goldsmiths’ Centre

At the Goldsmiths’ Centre, we support the jewellery and silversmithing industry to embrace learning as an essential lifelong practice. Our mission is to foster capability at every link in the chain, making ongoing professional development visible and accessible to all. Through technical courses and business support, affordable workspace, funding opportunities and events we aim to close the industry’s skills gap, so that creativity, craftsmanship and community can thrive.