Three Goldsmiths’ Company Apprentices named Lady Mayor’s Craft Livery Apprentice Winners 2025/26
Yesterday, 21 September 2026, three Goldsmiths’ Company apprentices – setter Alysha Strong, hand engraver Isabel Freeman, and diamond mounter Joshua Hook – have been recognised in a ceremony at Mansion House as Lady Mayor’s Livery Apprentices, an initiative recognising outstanding talent across the City of London’s historic Livery Companies.
Conceived by the Lady Mayor of London, the initiative honours 12 apprentices across City Livery Companies which offer apprenticeships, shining a light on the importance of apprenticeships in sustaining traditional craft skills and supporting the future of the industry. The Goldsmiths’ Company, the Goldsmiths’ Centre and their industry employers are delighted to have three of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s apprentices selected, which represents a quarter of the awards.
The Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme currently supports 42 apprentices across 34 businesses in London, the South-East, and the Midlands, including a full new cohort starting their apprenticeships this autumn. The scheme combines structured employer training with day-release taught by experienced craftspeople at the Goldsmiths’ Centre. This provides a balanced approach to skills development, helping build a sustainable future for jewellery and silversmithing in the UK.
Isabel Freeman is currently training with Sam James Engraving, an award-winning engraving business based at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, and due to complete her Masterpiece, a final piece of work representing her journey as an apprentice, this autumn; Joshua Hook completed his diamond mounting apprenticeship with Dominic Walmsley Jewellery, and was recognised for his award-winning technical skill and dedication to traditional handcraft; and Alysha Strong, setting apprentice with Summers Diamond Setting, has consistently achieved top honours in national competitions and is developing her own distinctive approach to fine jewellery. Together, they showcase distinct stages in the creation of jewellery and silverware, representing the progression from decoration and setting through to final form and construction.
“It's fantastic to see the commitment of so many Livery Companies to supporting heritage crafts and helping these valuable skills thrive for future generations. Recognising these twelve outstanding recipients of the Lady Mayor's Craft Livery Apprentices Awards celebrates not only the investment made by the liveries, but also the hard work, talent and enthusiasm of the apprentices themselves. At a time when practical skills are more important than ever, their dedication is truly inspiring.”
– The Lady Mayor of London, Dame Sue Langley
“In the jewellery and silversmithing industry, we celebrate the collaborative network of specialist craftspeople and businesses, each contributing their skills and knowledge at different stages to bring a piece to life. Seeing three of our apprentices, Isabel, Joshua and Alysha, be recognised for their specialisms and skills through the first Lady Mayor’s Livery Apprentice Initiative is not only a great honour, but a true collective celebration of their talent and their employers’ commitment, and the breadth and strength of the Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme, generously funded by the Goldsmiths’ Foundation and delivered through our teaching team at the Goldsmiths’ Centre.”
– Julia Balchin, Director of the Goldsmiths’ Centre
“Outstanding talent deserves to be recognised, and the Lady Mayor's Livery Apprentice Initiative does exactly that - celebrating the living tradition of apprenticeship in the City of London. The Goldsmiths' Company has been training craftspeople for 700 years, and Alysha, Isabel and Joshua now take their place in that lineage, the latest generation carrying these skills forward to ensure that our craft endures. I am delighted to see their talent and dedication recognised in this way at a time when craft skills are valued more than ever, and when the creative industries are rightly recognised as a priority sector for growth, employment and a flourishing cultural life in the UK.”
– Annie Warbuton, CEO and Clerk of the Goldsmiths’ Company
To find out more about the Goldsmiths’ Company Apprenticeship Scheme and how to employee an apprentice in your workshop, visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org/learn-and-upskill/employing-an-apprentice