Oh what a night!
The 2022 edition of the annual event was a complete sell out. Supported by headline sponsor, Hockley Mint, the 89th Benevolent Society Ball was held at The Grand Hotel, Birmingham, for the second year running, seeing industry colleagues and friends enjoying a night of good food, celebrations and great entertainment in a beautiful setting, while most importantly, raising a phenomenal £90,000 (just over) for The Benevolent Society!
The evening started with a generous bang, with The Goldsmiths' Company Charity presenting a cheque for £40,000 to a speechless Mr Doyle. Later in the evening, Beaverbrooks announced they would match the £12,600 raised in the lively auction, with all proceeds going to the Benevolent Fund. The Benevolent Society also revealed that its regular beneficiaries (nearly 50 individuals) would receive an additional £300 before Christmas to help with the rising cost of living.
During the evening, NAJ President and Benevolent Society Vice Chairman, David Doyle, was the deserved recipient of the second NAJ Chair's Award, presented at this year's Ball. The NAJ Chair's Award, sponsored by Presman Mastermelt, is given to a business or individual in recognition of their ongoing commitment and dedicated service to the jewellery industry.
Last year, the judging panel felt that The Goldsmiths' Company, the Benevolent Society, and the Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity should share the inaugural award for their incredible collaborative work in supporting the trade through Covid. This year, the independent judges unanimously agreed David Doyle's career-long generosity and service deserved to be acknowledged.
NAJ Chair Heather Callaway said,
"It was an honour and a privilege to present the NAJ Chair's Award to David. It was only fitting that the longevity of his career and unwavering charitable spirit be recognised in this way. David embodies the Association's values in everything he does and has achieved in his jewellery career.
"His tireless fundraising alone would warrant such an award, but without David's patience and commitment, the National Association of Jewellers would not be the Association it is today. As a colleague and friend, I want to say thank you and congratulations, and I couldn't think of a more fitting recipient of this award."
Gary Williams, General Manager of Presman Mastermelt, shared,
"The independent judges have rightly decided, in my opinion, that in acknowledgement of his lifelong, and, I should add, selfless commitment to the trade he loves, this prestigious award should be bestowed upon one of our industry's best-loved characters."
The NAJ Chair's Award was not the only silverware that David Doyle was presented with on the night. Retiring from his positions of Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Society after 14 years, David was presented with a specially commissioned silver bowl created by Jewellery Quarter Silversmith, Andy Macgowan. Charity Chairman, Gay Penfold and Charity Trustee, Gary Wroe surprised David with the bespoke piece adorned with personal details of David's time with the Benevolent Society to thank him for his incredible work and tireless fundraising efforts over the last 14 years.
Reflecting on the awards, David Doyle stated,
"Having been in the jewellery industry since my early 20s and been generously rewarded in so many ways, including making life-long friendships, I felt it my duty to give back to an industry that has given me so much in return.
"I am genuinely humbled to receive the NAJ Chair's Award, but any individual award for dedicated service only tells half a story. The results that I have achieved, whether through my own business, the NAJ or the Benevolent Society, would not be possible without the amazing support of my industry colleagues and, of course, my wife, Jan, a constant throughout this jewellery journey of mine.
"I'm a great believer that you can't do as much as is often needed by just working alone, but you can move mountains if you can work together with an engaged and enthusiastic team. Thank you then for this award, but above all, thank you to all those who have come on this jewellery journey with me, without the help of whom I would not be receiving this wonderful award."
The Benevolent Society would like to thank all sponsors and attendees for their generosity and continued support, the annual Christmas Ball is the charity's main fundraising activity, raising vital funds to allow the charity to financially support individuals who work or have worked in the BATF industries and are facing financial hardship as well as individuals embarking on careers or expanding their skills in the BATF industries.
The industries covered by the BATF (British Allied Trades Federation) are: Giftware, Jewellery, Travelgoods and Accessories and Surface Engineering.
The evening started with a generous bang, with The Goldsmiths' Company Charity presenting a cheque for £40,000 to a speechless Mr Doyle. Later in the evening, Beaverbrooks announced they would match the £12,600 raised in the lively auction, with all proceeds going to the Benevolent Fund. The Benevolent Society also revealed that its regular beneficiaries (nearly 50 individuals) would receive an additional £300 before Christmas to help with the rising cost of living.
During the evening, NAJ President and Benevolent Society Vice Chairman, David Doyle, was the deserved recipient of the second NAJ Chair's Award, presented at this year's Ball. The NAJ Chair's Award, sponsored by Presman Mastermelt, is given to a business or individual in recognition of their ongoing commitment and dedicated service to the jewellery industry.
Last year, the judging panel felt that The Goldsmiths' Company, the Benevolent Society, and the Silversmiths & Jewellers Charity should share the inaugural award for their incredible collaborative work in supporting the trade through Covid. This year, the independent judges unanimously agreed David Doyle's career-long generosity and service deserved to be acknowledged.
NAJ Chair Heather Callaway said,
"It was an honour and a privilege to present the NAJ Chair's Award to David. It was only fitting that the longevity of his career and unwavering charitable spirit be recognised in this way. David embodies the Association's values in everything he does and has achieved in his jewellery career.
"His tireless fundraising alone would warrant such an award, but without David's patience and commitment, the National Association of Jewellers would not be the Association it is today. As a colleague and friend, I want to say thank you and congratulations, and I couldn't think of a more fitting recipient of this award."
Gary Williams, General Manager of Presman Mastermelt, shared,
"The independent judges have rightly decided, in my opinion, that in acknowledgement of his lifelong, and, I should add, selfless commitment to the trade he loves, this prestigious award should be bestowed upon one of our industry's best-loved characters."
The NAJ Chair's Award was not the only silverware that David Doyle was presented with on the night. Retiring from his positions of Vice Chairman and Trustee of the Society after 14 years, David was presented with a specially commissioned silver bowl created by Jewellery Quarter Silversmith, Andy Macgowan. Charity Chairman, Gay Penfold and Charity Trustee, Gary Wroe surprised David with the bespoke piece adorned with personal details of David's time with the Benevolent Society to thank him for his incredible work and tireless fundraising efforts over the last 14 years.
Reflecting on the awards, David Doyle stated,
"Having been in the jewellery industry since my early 20s and been generously rewarded in so many ways, including making life-long friendships, I felt it my duty to give back to an industry that has given me so much in return.
"I am genuinely humbled to receive the NAJ Chair's Award, but any individual award for dedicated service only tells half a story. The results that I have achieved, whether through my own business, the NAJ or the Benevolent Society, would not be possible without the amazing support of my industry colleagues and, of course, my wife, Jan, a constant throughout this jewellery journey of mine.
"I'm a great believer that you can't do as much as is often needed by just working alone, but you can move mountains if you can work together with an engaged and enthusiastic team. Thank you then for this award, but above all, thank you to all those who have come on this jewellery journey with me, without the help of whom I would not be receiving this wonderful award."
The Benevolent Society would like to thank all sponsors and attendees for their generosity and continued support, the annual Christmas Ball is the charity's main fundraising activity, raising vital funds to allow the charity to financially support individuals who work or have worked in the BATF industries and are facing financial hardship as well as individuals embarking on careers or expanding their skills in the BATF industries.
The industries covered by the BATF (British Allied Trades Federation) are: Giftware, Jewellery, Travelgoods and Accessories and Surface Engineering.
