BOARD OF TRUSTEES (voluntary)
Lord Young of Norwood Green, Chair Anthony Young is a current member of the House of Lords; following a career in communications including General Secretary of National Communications Union and Joint General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union. Previous Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, later at Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. Tony has been Governor of the BBC and former Chair of the non profit organisation One World Broadcasting Trust (One World Media).
Jeffrey Lassaline, Vice-chair Jeffrey began his career working in a museum in Canada, moving to London in 2000 to take up the post of Head of Silver Department at Christie’s South Kensington, before transferring to Christie’s international headquarters in King Street where he become Senior Silver Specialist and Director. After nearly 20 years working at Christie’s Jeffrey relocated to Yorkshire where he currently works as Silver Specialist for Tennants Auctioneers. Jeffrey has a passion for silver and seeks to supports the industry, particularly through the role of Curator and Secretary to the Trustees of the Silver Trust, which he held until 2017. Jeffrey is a Freeman of both the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and the City of London, a member of the Silver Society and a founding member of the Silver Society of Canada.
Duncan Baird-Murray, Secretary Duncan was the Director of Guill and Stephenson Ltd engravers (now part of Sam James Ltd). He began his training on a pre-apprenticeship course at the Sir John Cass School of Art in 1976. From there he went on to do a full apprenticeship with Guill and Stevenson, hand engravers of Hatton Garden, London, eventually taking over the company in 1982. Guill and Stephenson Ltd had many wide and varied commissions, from coats of arms to jewellery and one-off pieces. Notable work includes the Formula One trophy cup and the Sports Personality of the Year trophy. Duncan has been on the Association committee since the beginning, served as Chair and continues to support since becoming semi retired.
Richard Watson, Treasurer I am the founder of Inigo Insurance. Inigo insures the world’s largest commercial and industrial companies. We focus on their areas of greatest risk, and bring the technical expertise, and capacity, they value. Inigo invests heavily in gathering prodigious amounts of data, to help us accurately assess risk and to help grow our customer’s knowledge. The company is bound together with a strong, inquisitive culture, that encourages learning and collaboration.
Griselda Bear FRSA Griselda is an independent consultant working in the arts and wider educational and charitable sectors. She currently works as an exhibition curator as well as a fundraiser and development consultant for a wide range of organisations. Over several decades she held senior posts at the Canada House Gallery in London, as Director of the Trust at the Royal Academy of Arts and Director of Development at both the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Sadler’s Wells. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and serves on the board of a number of arts charities.
JP Daeschler J-P Daeschler started his career in 1988 at small provincial gunmakers in Scotland, aged sixteen, where he specialised in gun stock making and finishing. At this time he first met Malcolm Appleby, and many years later, when J-P acquired John Dickson & Son, the oldest working gunmaker in Scotland, Malcolm introduced J-P to the Association.
Megan Rigby Megan studied jewellery at BAJ London where she met Emmet Smith of Rebus Signet Rings. She completed a 5 year apprenticeship at Rebus specialising in seal engraving.
Megan has won5 (of which 3 were gold) awards from the Goldsmiths Craft and Design Council and was named Heritage Crafts Young Metal Worker of the Year in 2023.
A qualified teacher of engraving Megan plans to raise awareness of the craft through education and social media.
Rodney J Rigby Rodney has supplied and engraved signet rings, cuff links, blazer buttons, ceremonial swords and commemorative pieces for monarchs, princes, heads of state and Hollywood movie stars since the 1970s. His business is based in Royal Tunbridge Wells, where he offers clients the very finest in hand engraving, bespoke jewellery creation and restoration. He is Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Freeman of the City of London and a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths.
Chris Rowley, Founder Chris is the founder of the Hand Engravers Association. He has a long and distinguished career in broadcasting, working as Jeremy Isaac’s deputy at Thames Television in the largest department in British television. His film The Sun is God about Turner was nominated for a BAFTA. He moved to the Independent Broadcasting Authority in 1983 and was instrumental in many of the major changes to UK television, including the introduction of Channel 4, breakfast TV, independent producers, the major increase in local programmes, satellite TV and Channel 5. He has also served as president of the Media Society, founded The One World Broadcasting Trust, and is a member of BAFTA. He has an honorary doctorate from London Guildhall University for services to broadcasting. Thanks to his tireless campaigning, the Association is able to keep in touch with key members of government to ensure that the craft of hand engraving and the need for apprenticeships remains front and centre in policy making decisions.
Anastasia Young MA(RCA) Anastasia trained as a jeweller at Central Saint Martins College, where she taught for over 20 years before moving to the School of Jewellery in Birmingham in 2022. She is the author of four technical jewellery books which have been translated into seven languages and are considered key texts in their subject. She also sits on the board of The Association for Contemporary Jewellery. Anastasia specialises in surface engraving, utilising her skills to both decorate her jewellery and to engrave plates for intaglio printing.
VOLUNTEERS:
David Bedford, Membership Secretary
David has over 50 years’ experience working as a master engraver. He has run the 120-year-old engraving firm of JJ Bergin Ltd since 1977, having joined the firm as a trainee engraver in 1965. During his time he has worked on many elaborate pieces for the Queen, members of the Royal Family, pop stars and celebrities. After more than 45 years based in London, he has relocated to the country and continues to run J J Bergin Ltd at Creek Creative Art & Design Studios in Faversham, Kent.
ADMINISTRATION (freelance):
Kate Rieppel, Director
Kate has been working in the jewellery industry in the UK for over 10 years and is a champion of crafts based education and the preservation of traditional making skills. She brings with her an extensive background in creative programming, project management, and educational leadership.
Kate began her studies and career in the area of anthropology and material culture before switching streams to complete an MA in Metalwork and Jewellery at the RCA. Her training in enamelling and associated techniques has given her a deep respect for the technical skills and dedication required to master specialist crafts.
Kate has previously served as Chair of the British Society of Enamellers and remains an active member of the Executive Committee and as a Selector.
Lucinda Rowe, Administration Manager
Lucinda joined the Hand Engravers Association in January 2019. Working part time for the Association, Lucinda also works in museums development for Hertfordshire. Following a full time career in the city, Lucinda enjoys the variety and challenges of working freelance in the heritage sector.