Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council appoints Judith Lockwood as chair

The Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council (GCDC) has appointed Judith Lockwood as its new chair, succeeding John Ball, to serve a three-year term.

Alongside Lockwood’s appointment, which comes after two years as vice chair, jewellery designer and GC and DC trustee Maeve Gillies has been appointed vice chair, assisting in leading the council.

Lockwood brings more than 35 years’ experience across the sector, working with luxury branded jewellery, watches, manufacturing and diamonds across global and family-owned businesses. She has been a member of the council since 2020 and is a Freeman of The Goldsmiths’ Company and the City of London.

Alongside her newly appointed role, she will continue to run Mesmeric Distribution, the UK distributor for Ti Sento. She will also remain on the board of the Company of Master Jewellers, continue as a Guardian of the Standard of Wrought Plate at the Birmingham Assay Office and serve as a strategic industry advisor for digital asset management platform ValuCert™. She is also a social member of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths.

Lockwood said: “Leading the GCDC 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 acknowledged and thanked outgoing chair John Ball for his efforts within the role, noting he will continue to contribute to the organisation as a Council member and Trustee.

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.”