We are happy to announce that the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths has appointed a new Chairman, Jennifer Bloy.  She was elected to the role at the IPG's Annual General Meeting held in March.

Jennifer joined the IPG in 1997 and has served on the council for 11 years. Her specialist subject is that of Designer crossing all disciplines of Jewellery, Objet D'art and Silversmithing.

She has produced designs for most of the top companies in Britain directly or indirectly and has worked for many prestigious clients.  Her work has won many awards both national and international.  A few of these are 'The Royal Society of Arts Design Competition', and 'The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Competition'.  The latter of which she has won on numerous occasions and can no longer enter as she is now a judge.

Jennifer feels that it is important to be aware of and cater for every aspect of the trade.   She also feels that it is important to have a knowledge of manufacturing skills and her early training as a diamond mounter at The Sir John Cass (now London Metropolitan University) has held her in good stead.  She still makes pieces by special commission and this helps to maintain a level of knowledge vital to being a skilled designer.  Jennifer is also an executive member of the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Competition Council.  She believes that their aim 'The maintenance of high level of skill in craft industries in the UK' is hugely important.

As well as running a freelance design business, Jennifer also lectures at London Metropolitan University where she taught on the Pre-Apprentice course (until its recent closure) and short courses and currently teaches on the Certificate course.  She also teaches on the Holts' Academy short courses and has been a guest lecturer at The Royal College of Art and at the Kent Institute of Art and Design.  Jennifer feels that it is important to pass on some of her skills and knowledge to the next generation, but her first love is designing and creating exquisite pieces of jewellery and objet d'art.