The Goldsmiths’ Centre Director Peter Taylor MBE Announces Plans to Retire in February 2026
Peter Taylor MBE, Director of the Goldsmiths’ Centre in London, has announced that he will retire in February 2026, marking the culmination of a distinguished 37-year career in the trade. Over the last 24 years he has served both the Goldsmiths’ Company and the Goldsmiths’ Centre - first as the Company’s inaugural Director of Technology and Training, and since 2011 as the founding Director of the Goldsmiths’ Centre. Under his leadership, the Centre has grown significantly, delivering on its mission to safeguard and develop the skills of the jewellery, silversmithing, and allied industries, while inspiring the next generation of craftspeople and businesses to make lifelong learning central to their practice.
His vision and leadership were instrumental in establishing the award-winning Goldsmiths’ Centre, which opened in 2012 just a stone’s throw from Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery quarter. Peter led the Goldsmiths’ Company’s transformation of a derelict Grade II listed building into the thriving hub it is today - a vibrant community that brings together designers, makers, manufacturers, craftspeople, and the public. Home to 130 makers and businesses, the Goldsmiths’ Centre offers access to creative and technical training, business support, affordable workspace, events, and showcases. In 2023/24, it trained 281 people and 29 apprentices in technical skills, supported 842 businesses to develop their ability to promote, sell and showcase their work, and inspired 1,573 people through talks, workshops, selling events and hosted five public exhibitions. The charity is sustained by around £2 million annually from the Goldsmiths’ Foundation, alongside the commercial income directly generated by the Centre.
“Peter has the Goldsmiths' Company and the Goldsmiths’ Centre in his blood. He has been absolutely dedicated to both in the last 24 years. As Stuart Devlin's disciple he set up the stunning Goldsmiths' Centre in 2012 and has run it since then. Everybody who has worked for or come into contact with Peter adores him. I have never heard a bad word about him. He has been absolutely dedicated in nurturing Jewellery and Silversmithing Talent of the Future, and extremely successful. He is held in the highest regard by everybody and will be a tough act to follow.”
– Michael Wainwright, the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Chair of Trustees, says
Peter began his career in the trade as the co-founder of a design and making business after graduating from the Birmingham School of Jewellery in 1988. In 1994, he launched DesignSpace 2000, a project in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter to support graduates and emerging entrepreneurs which helped many industry members to start their careers. Today, the programme’s alumni are leading businesses, teaching in Higher Education, and shaping the sector. Crucially, the project later expanded to support people from local communities who had not followed traditional education routes, reflecting Peter’s lifelong commitment to opening opportunities through making and design.
Returning to Higher Education in 1997, Peter played a key role in establishing the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) at the University of Central England - a technology, training, and mentoring facility that continues to support students and collaborate with industry. In 2002, he joined the Goldsmiths’ Company overseeing support of craft, industry, and Higher Education partnerships and led the opening of the Goldsmiths’ Centre in 2012. Alongside this, Peter has contributed to sector-wide initiatives, including the development of Occupational Standards and the Trailblazer Standard for Jewellery, Silversmithing, and Allied Trades. In 2021, Peter was recognised with an MBE for his services to the Jewellery and Silversmithing Industries, and in 2025 with an Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award at the Retail Jeweller’s UK Jewellery Awards.
“I have always felt blessed to have found the jewellery industry as a seventeen year old. Throughout my career I’ve always been focused on giving others similar life chances to those that I have benefitted from. My career is an illustration of how transformational creativity and skills can be, and how you never quite know where these might lead. Going to work for the Goldsmiths’ Company gave me the opportunity to work with some amazing people including Stuart Devlin who was responsible for my recruitment in 2002 and who I had the pleasure of working with on the Goldsmiths’ Centre project. Stuart’s vision gave the Centre one of its 3C’s “Creativity” and helped to drive the Centre’s project to become what it is today – I’m just grateful to have been on this journey.”
– Peter comments,
“As the founding Director of the Goldsmiths’ Centre, Peter Taylor has made an exceptional contribution to our industry. His vision, energy and dedication have transformed the training landscape and nurtured a thriving community of designers, makers and manufacturers. On behalf of all at the Goldsmiths’, I express our tremendous gratitude for the 24 years of service Peter has given the Company.”
– Annie Warburton FCGI FRSA, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Goldsmiths’ Company states
To ensure a seamless transition following Peter’s departure, the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Senior Management Team will continue to lead the charity until a new Director is appointed. The team worked closely together during Peter’s life-threatening illness in 2023/24, and each of them brings exceptional experience, service, passion and dedication to their roles and to serving the Centre’s community.