07/12/2023
We are excited to announce that Anne-Christina (Annie) Warburton, CEO of Cockpit Studios (London’s leading centre for contemporary craft) and former Creative Director of Crafts Council, has been appointed Clerk and CEO of The Goldsmiths’ Company, starting in January 2024.
With more than 20 years’ experience in creative industries organisations that span the private, public, and charity sectors, Annie is a respected specialist in contemporary craft with a track record of delivering tangible impact and creating opportunities for talented people from all backgrounds to achieve their creative potential. She has recently initiated and raised funds for a £3.24m capital project to expand and transform Cockpit’s Deptford studios. Supported by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, STRIDE, and London Borough of Lewisham, the new studios open in December.
On taking up the role in January 2024, Annie will become the first female Clerk and CEO of the Goldsmiths’ Company in its history (the Company received its first Royal Charter in 1327) and will lead the Company towards its 700th Anniversary in 2027, where it will celebrate seven centuries of supporting the craft and trade, protecting consumers through testing precious metals and hallmarking, and improving life chances through its work with charity and educational partners.
Speaking today about Annie’s appointment, Charles Mackworth-Young, Prime Warden of The Goldsmiths’ Company said: “We greatly look forward to welcoming Annie to the Goldsmiths’ Company as our new Clerk and Chief Executive in January, after a thorough, competitive search process. Annie is a dynamic, aspirational leader who will bring vision and energy to the role, along with extensive experience in the UK-craft sector. She is the ideal candidate to lead us into, and beyond, our 700th anniversary in 2027, as we look to maximise our impact on the future of the craft and trade of silversmiths and jewellers – which contribute so much to the UK's creative industries.”
Read more: https://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/company-news/anne-christina-warburton-announced-as-clerk-and-ceo-of-the-goldsmiths-company