Birmingham companies dominate the BJA Awards 2013
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The enthusiasm, creativity and passion of Birmingham’s jewellery industry was celebrated at the British Jewellers’ Association Member Awards at St John’s Hotel, Solihull. The event was part of the annual charity ball in aid of the British Jewellery Giftware & Finishing Federation Benevolent Society.
The Birmingham Assay Office supported the event and was delighted to see its customers winning almost every award. Jewellery Quarter-based companies Weston Beamor and Cooksongold won BJA Member of the Year and Supplier of the Year respectively, while Redditch-based TV and internet jewellery specialists, The Genuine Gemstone Company, won Retailer of the Year. Designer of the Year winner Andrew Geoghegan, based in North Yorkshire, is also a customer.
Marie Brennan, business development manager at The Birmingham Assay Office, said: “It was a brilliant night for Birmingham. BJA members from around the country can nominate and vote for the winners of the Awards. The results demonstrate that the Midlands and The Birmingham Assay Office are at the heart of the UK’s jewellery industry and there is great recognition and respect for their creativity and professionalism throughout the trade.”
There was further cause for celebration for The Assay Office when Michael Allchin, chief executive and assay master, was presented with the BJA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The honour, which is awarded at the discretion of Members of the BJA’s National Committee, was presented by Patrick Fuller, former chairman of the BJA, and a former Warden of The Birmingham Assay Office.
Patrick made a moving tribute to Michael and said that there were few people in the jewellery industry with his breadth of knowledge and experience.
He added: “Michael’s commitment to The Birmingham Assay Office has been unwavering and has spawned three new operating divisions: The Laboratory, AnchorCert Gemmological Laboratory and SafeGuard. Without his vision, energy and commitment to change and diversification, The Birmingham Assay Office would not be in the position it is today.”