Goldsmiths’ Company Publishes Foundational Research on British Silversmithing

30 Jun 2026

Today the Goldsmiths’ Company has published British Silversmithing: Understanding the Sector, a report that provides a foundational evidence base on industry challenges and opportunities and sets out a series of recommendations for how these might be addressed. The publication of the report follows a five-month programme of research led by Karin Paynter, commissioned by Annie Warburton, CEO and Clerk of the Goldsmiths’ Company, with the support of the London Assay Office.

Drawing on an industry-wide survey, interviews and focus groups with commercially active silversmiths, alongside hallmarking and official data sources, the report offers a foundational assessment of the sector, examines how it operates in practice and identifies key risks, opportunities and priorities to inform future strategic planning, leadership and investment. 

The report identifies seven key findings:

• A highly interdependent production ecosystem 
• Recruitment pressures and demographic risk 
• Skills as critical infrastructure 
• Declining output alongside regional resilience 
• Rising material and operating costs 
• High profile visibility, low domestic awareness
• Under representation in economic data

And sets out four priority responses:

• Address critical skills gaps 
• Future proof silversmithing skills, particularly around high-level core bench skills 
• Define a new future for silver and develop the market 
• Industry coordination and convening

Over the coming months, the Goldsmiths’ Company will begin working with partners across the industry to develop a long-term strategic framework for the sector. This process will focus on identifying priorities, building consensus and exploring practical interventions that can strengthen British silversmithing over the coming years. We recognise that success will depend on continued engagement from across the sector and we look forward to working together to shape the next phase of this work.

Annie Warburton, CEO & Clerk, the Goldsmiths’ Company, shares,

“This report marks a milestone for British silversmithing. For the first time, the sector has a rigorous and independent evidence base — one that maps the real challenges it faces with clarity and rigour.
Crucially, this is not simply a record of where things stand. It identifies exactly where action is needed. We commissioned this work because the sector's future depends on change grounded in proper evidence, and we are committed to taking these recommendations forward in partnership with the wider industry.” 

Cara Murphy, Incoming Chair, Contemporary British Silversmiths, adds,

“This report represents a significant step in understanding and supporting the silversmithing sector. As incoming Chair of Contemporary British Silversmiths, I look forward to CBS working closely with The Goldsmiths’ Company and other interested parties to explore how these recommendations can help strengthen the silversmithing community for generations to come.” 

Andy Putland, Master Silversmith, concludes,

“The report provides a thoughtful, comprehensive and realistic assessment of the challenges currently facing the silversmithing industry. It highlights not only the pressures that have developed over many years, but also the risks that threaten the future sustainability of our craft if action is not taken.  

"The recommendations are practical, forward-looking and offer a constructive path towards securing a stronger future for silversmithing. They address many of the concerns that are regularly discussed within the trade and among those committed to preserving and advancing the craft.  The future of silversmithing depends upon the decisions we make today. As someone whose professional life and passion is rooted in the craft, I believe this report provides an important foundation for those decisions.”

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Source: Goldsmiths' Company