Benchpeg

Back in April for a milestone birthday, two years late, we did a one day ceramics course to make garden ornaments.... apparently we display tendencies of perfectionism. Can't understand that at all!!

We are rubbish at regularly posting to Insta, mainly because most of the time we are manically busy. But as they say, if it's not on socials, it didn't happen!!

So... forthcoming insta dump 📷

This was us in Match at Retail Jeweller Magazine's Jewellery Festival event in the City of London.

It was a fab event (in March) and definitely worth the trip to see all of the exhibitors, trade colleagues and friends!

Particularly found the talk on AI very interesting and how it is currently being utilised within jewellery business models.

We are feeling like a total under-achiever, and totally in awe of anyone who can complete a marathon, but when you have the pressure of match fundraising for a charity – especially for the Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity [] - well, that’s a lot of pressure.

Will Evans [.aj.evans] is taking on the London Marathon this Sunday in support of The Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity with match funding from the Goldsmiths’ Foundation – and has been in training for months – if you can lend him your support, please do:

www.justgiving.com/page/will-evans-26-2

Good luck for this Sunday Will!!

The Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity is proud to announce that Will Evans, Director (Assay Master) of the London Assay Office, will be running the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April in support of the charity.

Having completed an extraordinary 20 weeks of training and covering more than 1,000 kilometres in preparation, Will is now ready to take on one of the world’s most iconic endurance events. His commitment reflects not only a personal challenge but a deep dedication to supporting individuals within the silversmithing and jewellery community who are facing hardship.

“I’m honoured to be running for The Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity,” said Will Evans. “The work they do to support people in our industry is incredibly important, and I’m proud to play a part in helping raise funds and awareness.”

All proceeds raised through Will’s marathon effort will go directly to The Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity. In a significant boost to the campaign, the Goldsmiths’ Foundation has pledged to match the funds raised, effectively doubling the impact of every donation received.

This partnership ensures that the charity can continue its vital work, providing financial assistance and support to those in need across the trade. The combined effort highlights the strength and solidarity within the industry, particularly during challenging times.

Supporters are invited to contribute to Will’s fundraising campaign via his JustGiving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/will-evans-26-2

www.thesilversmithsandjewellerscharity.co.uk

Read more on benchpeg.com

Benchpeg is helping Design Build Cast Birmingham (DBC Birmingham) [] to recruit a Head of CAD for its new facility in Oldbury, Birmingham – a brand new position at a brand new venture – and a chance to play a central role in developing and managing a CAD team as the business grows.

Head of CAD
Design Build Cast Birmingham (DBC Birmingham)
Oldbury, Birmingham
Salary: £50,000+ depending on experience
Job Type: Full time, permanent

About the Role ~
We are establishing a new high-spec jewellery manufacturing and casting facility in Oldbury, forming part of a dual-site operation alongside our established London businesses, Design Build Cast London (DBC London) and The London Art Works (TLAW).

We are building a dedicated CAD team within DBC Birmingham, providing high-quality, production-ready CAD as a service to DBC clients and the wider trade. This function will support both internal production and external partners, forming a key part of our overall offering.

We are looking for an experienced Head of CAD to take ownership of CAD at DBC Birmingham and build the department from the ground up.
This is a senior, hands-on CAD role requiring strong design ability and experience delivering high-quality, production-ready CAD. You will be responsible for building and leading the CAD function, establishing systems, standards and workflows that support efficient and consistent output.

You will work closely with our London-based teams, supporting live projects while building and leading the CAD department at DBC Birmingham, supporting TLAW and its existing client base.

You will also play a central role in recruiting, developing and managing a CAD team as the business grows.

Apply at benchpeg.com

DBC London





⠀
⠀

Benchpeg is helping to recruit for a fabulous opportunity to join a reinvigorated British Academy of Jewellery as CAD Jewellery Diploma Tutor at the Assay Office Birmingham Campus, Birmingham::

Jewellery Diploma Tutor (CAD)
British Academy of Jewellery
Birmingham (Assay Office) Campus, Birmingham
Contract: 3 days per week
Salary: £27,000 - £29,500 pro rata dependant on experience

Company Overview ~
With a mission to provide an environment where creativity is nurtured, innovation is encouraged, and sustainability is practiced, for more than two decades the British Academy of Jewellery has been providing pioneering training and inspiration to the next generation of jewellers, entrepreneurs and creatives of all abilities and backgrounds in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leicester. During this time, we’ve grown from a small school set up beneath a jewellery shop to a respected, world-class institution offering accredited courses. With a new Principal and Board of Governors, the Academy has a reinvigorated sense of purpose and is entering an exciting new stage in its development.

About the Role ~
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Jewellery Diploma Tutor (CAD) to join our dedicated teaching team. The ideal candidate will have strong technical experience in jewellery CAD (including software such as Rhino and Illustrator), alongside a solid understanding of traditional jewellery manufacturing and design processes.

As a Diploma Tutor, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the learning journey of our students. You will deliver inspiring lessons, provide academic and pastoral support, assess student work, and help maintain the high standards of excellence for which the Academy is known.

Apply~
If you are passionate about jewellery making, have a keen eye for detail, and enjoy working in a dynamic environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting position at the British Academy of Jewellery.




⠀
⠀




British Academy of Jewellery

24 years on, my old boss and I still have a great relationship. And this makes me incredibly proud but also privileged. It's also testament to how to manage and treat people.

Paul gave me the biggest opportunity of my career, my first proper job in industry - managing Goldsmiths' Fair as a recent jewellery and silversmithing graduate. I didn't realise it at the time (I don't think you ever do) but this role was seminal.

Seminal in terms of career and personal growth and experience.

Paul has the knack of employing great people. I am still in contact with all of my fellow colleagues under Paul's tutelage, and talk with them regularly. But importantly, he also allowed them to succeed.

My time with Paul as part of his team was my own apprenticeship. He taught me all I know and I still use what he taught me today. It was a golden era of growth, experience and learning your trade. I have such great memories.

On Monday we went out for luncheon and had champagne to celebrate his birthday, my birthday, but so much more. It is a wonderful thing to have an unlimited amount of time to share with someone who you can talk with, reminisce and just simply enjoy the company of, but also because you have a shared experience and history which bonds.

We raised a glass to our friend and colleague Paul, who is no longer with us, and I got quite emotional.

Time is fleeting, and we really must make the most of it whilst we are here - being mindful of being kind and generous to people along the way, and Paul is an example of exactly this.

At the weekend we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Benchpeg.
Benchpeg’s actual birthday is the 6th February, so a bit late, but its been busy.

Twenty years ago, a niggly idea that wouldn’t go away took life when one dreary, grey, cold Saturday in February I went through the index of the jewellery making bible that is Oppi Untracht’s ‘Jewelry Concepts and Technology’ to find a name. Obviously, because I am completely ridiculous, I started at ‘Z’. The index is quite comprehensive, so it took a while to get to ‘B’ and that is when ‘Benchpeg’ was born.

I had no idea what I was doing, I just knew the ‘mechanisms’ that I had to undertake. We set up a limited company, bought a domain and trademarked and copyrighted Benchpeg and it took my whole month’s salary.

This was after I’d been told by someone in hierarchy that what I was doing was “neither wanted, required or desired”. And that is, of course, when the sheer belligerence kicked in and I did it anyway. Because it felt right for me to do it. I had no strategy, no plan. It just felt right.

In today’s speak it started off as a ‘side hustle’ and today, as it has been for the last 15 years, it is my full time occupation.

I will not pretend that it has been easy, because it has not. The worry of running a business and employing people has kept me up at night and the pillow has caught more than a few tears.

But more importantly to me, Benchpeg has made a difference. I am privileged to be at the end of an email and constantly receive stories about how Benchpeg has made a difference in some small way to someone’s life for the better.

So for me, this twenty year milestone is significant, not because Benchpeg still exists, but because it represents 20 years of helping individuals, micro businesses and SMEs in the craft, trade and industry - which was the driver for doing a mad, unthought-through thing one rainy Saturday in February.

This morning one of the emails that landed in the inbox today:
“I remember signing up for your newsletter at IJL many years ago. I'd like to think that it may have even been the first year :) Well, well done. You have helped me and many others in so many ways. Thank you!”

And that makes me incredibly proud of being utterly ridiculous and following what my gut told me to do, not knowing where it would lead, twenty years later.

JOBS:

Gold Assayer / Precious Metal Analyst (5 Positions)
Gold Arthur
Weybridge, Surrey

📣 Gold Arthur is a Finnish company specialising in the purchase and appraisal of precious metals, particularly gold and silver. We have built a trusted, transparent, and customer focused mobile service model that now operates across Finland, Sweden, and the UK.

⭐ Due to rapid expansion, we are strengthening our UK team with skilled and detail oriented Precious Metal Evaluators based in Surrey.

📣 The Roles

💰 Gold Arthur is seeking five qualified and motivated individuals to join our growing refining and analytical operations as Gold Assayers.

⭐ These positions are critical to ensuring the accuracy, transparency, and quality of gold testing across our mobile buying and refining workflow.

🏢 Role Overview

⭐ The Gold Assayer will be responsible for testing, analysing, and verifying the purity of gold and other precious metals collected by our mobile agents throughout the UK. The role involves operating XRF and fire-assay equipment, maintaining compliance records, and ensuring accurate data transfer to our refining and finance systems.

📝For more information and to apply go to Benchpeg.com





⠀
⠀

WHAT'S ON: MAD About Jewelry 2026

5 - 9 May 2026
Museum of Arts and Design, USA

For 25 years, MAD About Jewelry has upheld the Museum’s long-standing commitment to presenting jewelry as an art form. MAD is the only American museum with a dedicated gallery for both special jewelry exhibitions and its own collection of contemporary and modern studio and art jewelry.

Read more on benchpeg.com