Goldsmiths’ Centre announces business catalyst grant recipients

The Goldsmiths’ Centre has announced the five emerging jewellery and silversmithing businesses which have received the first round of business catalyst (small) grants in 2024.

The five businesses which will receive £1000 each are; Scarlett Cohen French, Ozlem Gunes, Megan Brown, Emma Wilson and Alice Fry.

The recipients were chosen by the Goldsmiths’ Centre team and guest judges Bettina Boerner, head of manufacturing at DeBeers, and Darren Sherwood of Sherwood Jewellery.

Funded by philanthropic giving from the current members of the Goldsmiths’ Company, these grants aim to support successful business growth.

Alice Fry will use her grant to invest in Rhino CAD software to create 3D printed and cast settings for her jewellery and silverware.

Brown will hire a photographer and model to create a marketing brochure, while Cohen French will develop a collection of brooches and rings.

Gunes plans to improve her website through new imagery and copywriting to better attract customers, whilst Emma Wilson will expand her range of silver and enamel rings.

Applications for round two of this year’s Business Catalyst (Small) Grants close on Sunday 13 October 2024 at 5pm.

Julia Skilton, grants and engagement manager at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, said: “There is limited financial support for emerging businesses, therefore we are delighted to be able to support these five talented makers to develop their businesses and we look forward to sharing their progress in future.”

Gunes added: “I’m ever so grateful and extremely happy to have received the business catalyst (small) grant! The Goldsmiths’ Centre has been very supportive with the ongoing development of my jewellery business in many ways than one, this grant will be help me move forward to the next level and I will be using it for a new website which is a crucial way of showcasing our work as jewellers and what we do.”