Supporting Emerging Jewellery Businesses: The Goldsmiths’ Centre Announces the Business Catalyst (Small) Grants 2025

The recipients have recently completed mentoring, consultancy, or diagnostic programmes, including those at the Goldsmiths’ Centre, demonstrating their commitment to growing their businesses.

The Goldsmiths’ Centre has today announced the recipients of its first round of Business Catalyst (Small) Grants in 2025 – a grants initiative that supports emerging designers and makers within the UK jewellery and silversmithing industry in building creative, sustainable, and commercially viable businesses. Made possible through the generosity of modern philanthropic giving via the Goldsmiths’ Foundation from members of the Goldsmiths’ Company, the Goldsmiths’ Centre has awarded grants to four outstanding early-stage businesses: Kristina Merchant (Kmercht), Makila Nsika Nkaya (M.Kala), Katie Watson, and Estelle Melissa Burton. 

Selected by the Goldsmiths’ Centre team alongside guest judges Bettina Boerner, Senior Director at House of Gubelin and Jayant Raniga, CEO of PureJewels by Bhanji Gokaldas, each recipient of the £1,000 Business Catalyst (Small) Grant will invest in essential tools, specialist training, and new collections - boosting production, broadening product ranges, and reaching key milestones in their business growth. These talented makers have recently completed or participated in formal mentoring, business consultancy, or diagnostic programmes, including those offered by the Goldsmiths’ Centre, demonstrating their strong commitment to turning their business plans into reality.


Kristina Merchant will equip her new studio in Perth with essential tools, streamlining production of her sculptural, story-led jewellery inspired by the Scottish landscape and preparing for her second appearance at Goldsmiths’ Fair. Makila Nsika Nkaya will develop a refined ready-to-wear capsule collection rooted in Congolese craft traditions, investing in mould making, mount-making training, and stones to create market-ready pieces. Katie Watson, known for her distinctive hand-chased, one-off designs, will create casting moulds for a new product line, enabling her to scale production, offer more accessible price points, and build a more sustainable and profitable business. Estelle Melissa Burton will enhance the precision and versatility of her Luminaire collection, which fuses scientific glass working with fine jewellery, by introducing new equipment to her studio and undertaking specialist mentoring, supporting her plans to expand her range, reach international platforms, and grow her brand’s commercial strength.

Julia Skilton, Grants and Engagement Manager of the Goldsmiths’ Centre explains: “We’re delighted to support these four outstanding makers at a crucial point in their careers and are grateful to the Goldsmiths’ Foundation and members of the Goldsmiths’ Company for their generous backing. The Business Catalyst (Small) Grants provide focused investment that truly makes an impact. Each recipient showcases a unique creative vision and deep dedication to their craft, and we look forward to seeing how this support helps them build resilient, sustainable businesses within the jewellery industry.”
 
To learn more about the Business Catalyst (Small) Grants and how to apply, please register your interest at www.goldsmiths-centre.org/apply-for-grants/business-catalyst-small-grants