Goldsmiths’ Company’s Court of Assistants welcomes four new board members
The Goldsmiths’ Company has appointed four new Assistants (non-executive director equivalent) to the Court of Assistants: Brett Payne, Rachel Sandby-Thomas CB, Sir William Touche Bt and Doug Twining.
The Court of Assistants is equivalent to a non-executive board and has overall responsibility for the Company’s affairs.
Assistants are appointed from within the Company’s membership following an open call for applications, focused on key skills and experience.
There are now 25 members of the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Court of Assistants.
Wednesday 29 October 2025: We are delighted to announce the appointment of four new members to the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Court of Assistants (non-executive board equivalent) – Brett Payne, Rachel Sandby-Thomas CB, Sir William Touche Bt and Doug Twining. Together they will further strengthen Court expertise in key areas, including technology, education and training, silversmithing, assaying and hallmarking, and finance.
Following an open call for applications, shortlisting and interviews, the Nominations Committee recommended that Brett, Rachel, Sir William and Doug be appointed as Assistants. Their recommendation was unanimously approved by the Court of Assistants. There are now 25 members of the Court.
Prime Warden (Chair-equivalent), Ed Butler said of the appointments:
“I extend a very warm welcome to the four new members of our Court of Assistants. Together they bring expert knowledge and experience that is essential in running the Company today, securing its future for generations to come. Their commitment, wisdom and energy will be essential in underpinning the vital work we do for the trade and craft and in delivering our philanthropy.
Each of them has played an active role in our organisation, through involvement on committees, supporting our philanthropy, and through the support we give to the craft and trade of jewellery and silversmithing. I look forward to working with them on key areas, such as digital transformation, hallmarking and assaying, financial risk management and technical and vocational education as we prepare for our anniversary in 2027 – celebrating seven centuries of the Goldsmiths’, our trade and craft, and our communities.”
Left to right: Brett Payne, Rachel Sandby-Thomas CB, Sir William Touche Bt, Doug TwiningBrett Payne has over 40 years of experience as a silversmith, jeweller, educator, and entrepreneur. Alongside an innovative and successful design and manufacturing business, established in 1987, he has been instrumental in inspiring and setting up several additional projects and businesses within public art and community workspaces. He has established long-term connections with individuals and organisations within the applied arts across the UK, providing business consultancy, mentoring and innovation. Brett became a Freeman of the Company in 1997 and was clothed with the Livery in 2013.
Rachel Sandby-Thomas CB became Registrar of the University of Warwick in 2016. Qualifying as a lawyer at Linklaters, most of her career was spent in the Government Legal Service, becoming Director General, Legal for the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills in 2008, then combining that with Business & Skills. She became a Companion of the Bath in 2012. She is Chair of the Whitehall & Industry Group, Deputy Chair of the EY Foundation and a governor of Warwick Schools Foundation. Rachel became a Freeman of the Company in 2017 and was clothed with the Livery in 2025. She is a member of the Membership Committee and the Membership EDI Working Group.
Sir William Touche Bt is a former London Senior Partner and Vice Chair at Deloitte where he acted as an auditor and advisor specialising in the technology, media, telecommunications and consumer sectors. He is a non-executive director on the boards of Chanel Limited and Daily Mail and General Trust plc, and the Vice President of Finance of TechUK. Sir William was clothed with the Livery in 1988, served on the Company’s Charity committee from October 2009 to July 2012, and joined the Finance and Risk Committee in October 2025.
Doug Twining is a technologist specialising in the legal industry but with experience across the private sector, with specific skills in cyber, data and digital. He is currently Chief Technology Officer at Mills & Reeve, and his career in technology spans over 30 years with firms such as Mourant, Linklaters and BP. He is a trustee of a London-based educational foundation as well as a trustee of his local alms houses. Doug became a Freeman of the Company in 1990 and was clothed with the Livery in 2015. He currently serves as the Chair of the Digital Committee.