More than 380 guests came together to celebrate the winners of the 2026 NAJ Awards on Thursday 8 October 2026, as the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) recognised the great people, great businesses and great ideas driving the UK jewellery trade forward.
Held at the ICC in Birmingham in partnership with headline sponsor Curteis, this year’s Awards welcomed a record-breaking number of businesses, bringing together representatives from across the industry for an evening of celebration and recognition.
Across 15 categories, individuals and businesses were recognised for their achievements, innovation and contribution to the trade, highlighting the breadth of talent and excellence across the UK jewellery industry.
Fifteen category sponsors joined Curteis in supporting the Awards, including the Company of Master Jewellers, which sponsored the Rising Star of the Year category.
Reflecting on the evening, NAJ chief executive Ben Massey said: “What a fantastic and fun evening, and a brilliant opportunity to bring so many people from the NAJ membership community together. Congratulations to every one of our winners, highly commended recipients and finalists. Their achievements demonstrate the talent, commitment and ambition that continue to make members’ businesses so special.
“My sincere thanks also go to our sponsors, charity partners and everyone who joined us at the ICC. Their support helped make this a memorable celebration, and it was wonderful to recognise so many great businesses, great people and great ideas in one room.”
The NAJ Awards will return to the ICC on Thursday 21 October 2027.
The complete list of 2026 NAJ Awards winners and highly commended recipients is as follows:
Collection of the Year (sponsored by Emrise)
WINNER: Giovanni Raspini
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Lenaginarium
Community Engagement of the Year (sponsored by UK Protection)
WINNER: Aston University Goldsmiths Institute
Digital Engagement of the Year (sponsored by Squash Media Group)
WINNER: Wildring
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Antique Jewellers
ESG Initiative of the Year (sponsored by SGS)
WINNER: Gemmology Rocks
Store Design of the Year (sponsored by Visionary Displays)
WINNER: Sheila Fleet Jewellery
Customer Champion of the Year (sponsored by Cooksongold)
WINNER: Richard Allen (Pepper Tree Studio)
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Laura Bendoni (Jeremy France Jewellers)
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Marie Brennan (Birmingham Assay Office)
Designer of the Year (sponsored by The National Business Register)
WINNER: Xiaoyu Li (Xiaoyu Li Jewellery)
Rising Star of the Year (sponsored by The Company of Master Jewellers)
WINNER: Katie Mason (Birmingham City University)
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Charlotte Copeman (Lily Arkwright)
Unsung Hero of the Year (sponsored by JQV Gemstones)
WINNER: Sam Cavell (Weston Beamor)
Workshop Professional of the Year (sponsored by At The Bench)
WINNER: Lucy Stokes (Libby Rak Jewellery)
Bespoke Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Bespoke Quarter)
WINNER: Moira Patience
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Blackacre
Jewellery Retailer of the Year (sponsored by Ti Sento)
WINNER: Ainsworth Jewellers
Product Supplier of the Year (sponsored by Jewellery Show)
WINNER: HS Walsh & Sons
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Allied Gold
Service Supplier of the Year (sponsored by Retail Jeweller)
WINNER: Jewellers Academy, Yorkshire
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Gemmology Rocks
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Squash Media Group
Team of the Year (sponsored by TH March)
WINNER: Sonny’s Jewellers Group
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Siop iard
Also on the night, Sammantha Maclachlan was presented with the David Wilkins Award. The award is the pinnacle of achievement for any jewellery valuer, recognising outstanding contributions to the trade and the valuing community.
Ian Cookson from CMJ retailer member PA Jewellery was awarded the inaugural NAJ Retail Network Member of the Year. This award recognises contributions to the retail community group, the NAJ Retail Network.