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.

“One year in, our Landmark Programme has reached 1,601 people across prisons, schools, and communities. From young jewellers finding their passion in Birmingham to children discovering their voice through writing in Bradford, we’re seeing the power of skills development to unlock potential and shows people what’s possible. This is just the beginning.”

Over the last seven centuries, the City of London, the Goldsmiths’ Company, and the Trade have evolved, yet, as we approach our 700th year, our purpose remains the same – we test and assure the quality of precious metals and the nation’s coinage, we provide education, training and mentorship to the next generation of master craftspeople, and we are helping to advance creative, technical, and vocational skills in the craft and trade of goldsmithing, silversmithing and jewellery, and the wider creative industries. Take a look at what we’ve achieved in the last year.