Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council Appoints Judith Lockwood as Chair
29 Jul 2026
The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council (GC&DC) has appointed Judith Lockwood as its new chair at its recent AGM.
Lockwood will serve as chair for a three-year term and succeeds outgoing chair John Ball, following the completion of his term.
Alongside Lockwood’s appointment, jewellery designer and GC&DC Trustee Maeve Gilles has been appointed vice chair and will assist Judith in leading the Council.
Lockwood has been a Council member since 2020 and brings more than 35 years’ experience across luxury and branded jewellery, watches, manufacturing and diamonds, having worked with both global brands and family-owned companies.
She runs Mesmeric Distribution Ltd, which distributes TI SENTO in the UK, and is a Freeman of The Goldsmiths’ Company and the City of London.
She also serves on the board of the Company of Master Jewellers, is a Guardian of the Standard of Wrought Plate at the Birmingham Assay Office, is a strategic industry advisor for digital asset management platform ValuCert™ and is a social member of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths.
Her appointment follows two years as vice chair, during which time she supported John Ball.
Commenting on her appointment, Lockwood said,
“Leading the GC&DC through the Goldsmiths’ Company’s 700th anniversary in 2027 and our 120th anniversary in 2028 and driving this momentum into 2029 is a tremendous honour. It is a privilege to celebrate and promote the creative excellence in an industry I am deeply passionate about.”
The Council thanked outgoing chair John Ball for the professionalism, enthusiasm and energy he has brought to the role. John will continue to contribute to the organisation as a Council member and Trustee.
Reflecting on his term, Ball said,
“When I took on the chair’s role, I said my number one priority would be community, and that is what I'm proudest of as my term comes to an end. We set out to build a Council that is stronger, more visible and better connected, and we've done exactly that. A record 837 entries in 2026, a real surge of younger makers coming through, and our reach now stretching well beyond London.
“None of it would have been possible without a remarkable team, and none more so than Judith. As my vice chair, she has been my support and my challenge in equal measure, and when the pressure came from every direction, she was there for me, without question. She will make a superb chair, and I hand over knowing the Council is in the very best of hands.”
The GC&DC is responsible for the annual GC&DC competition, which rewards excellence in technical skills and creative design in precious metals and related materials.
The competition is open to all in the jewellery, silversmithing and allied trades including craft persons and designers in the industry as well as apprentices, students and hobbyists and is completely free to enter.
An exhibition featuring a selection of this year’s award-winning GC&DC entries is currently on show at the Goldsmiths’ Centre in Clerkenwell. The free exhibition runs until 10 September.
View GC&DC
Source: GC&DC