Bishopsland thanks outgoing Chair Howard Dellar for eight years of dedicated leadership
Photo from left: Howard Dellar, Tom Jones, and Peter White
Press Release
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Bishopsland Educational Trust is proud to announce the appointment of Tom Jones as its new Chair of Trustees. The Trust extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Chair Howard Dellar, who stepped down from the role at the Annual General Meeting held on 4 February 2026, after eight years of committed and compassionate service. We are also pleased to welcome Peter White as a Trustee.
Founded in 1993, Bishopsland Educational Trust is the only charitable organisation which delivers an intensive ten–month residential programme for talented jewellers and silversmiths emerging from full–time education or apprenticeships. The immersive programme develops advanced hand and technical making skills alongside professional and commercial practice, leveraging its extensive network, whilst supporting participants as they progress into employment or to establish independent businesses.
In addition, Tom has held numerous voluntary leadership roles across industry and the public sector, including as a Member of the Advisory Board of the Materials Processing Institute, UKRI Circular Economy Group at Brunel University, as Co-Chair of the Rules of Origin Thematic Panel (Aluminium) for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and as a Member of the Materials Industry Liaison Group for the Environment Agency.
As an apprentice trained tool maker himself, Tom’s ethos of people-centric leadership, combined with a strong focus on financial, strategic and operational excellence, as well as his inherent understanding of materials, impressed the Board during a highly competitive recruitment process. As Bishopsland continues its capital fundraising campaign to continue the development of its site – expanding capacity for neurodiverse makers and outreach initiatives – Tom’s personable leadership style and extensive connections across the allied trades and the private commercial sector are seen as key strengths.
Tom said on his appointment:
“I am privileged to have been passed the stewardship of such an important vocational training organisation with an outstanding record of achievement spanning some thirty years. Bishopsland, despite a quiet and humble exterior and small staff team, has an impact far in excess of first impressions. Joining at a critical moment in the charity’s drive towards its capital fundraising target is an opportunity I relish and I am greatly looking forward to oversee the next phase of its delivery.
Outgoing Chair Howard Dellar has guided the Trust since 2018, overseeing a period of significant growth and achievement. Most recently, he led the complex refurbishment of a new ‘home’ for the charity and its relocation to Hills Yard, within the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre. The project was delivered on time and within budget, securing a strong foundation for the Trust’s future.
Commenting on his tenure, Howard said:
“It has been an honour to serve as Chair of Bishopsland and to witness the Trust go from strength to strength. I am constantly in awe of the commitment and perseverance of the emerging silversmiths who join our programme, and of the great strides they make in skill, confidence and professionalism in such a short space of time.”
The Board of Trustees said:
“We will miss Howard and his steely diplomacy, strong sense of fairness but above all his dry wit and affable nature. He has steered the ship admirably, but we understand that after over 8 years at the helm there are other causes which deserve his full attention. We look forward to working with Tom. He joins at a milestone moment as we have received a £100,000 private donation towards our capital fundraising target of £500,000, for which we are now seeking match funding. Peter White, having already successfully led the first phase of the redevelopment of Hills Yard is a welcome addition to the Board and we know he will continue to contribute robust and thoughtful guidance.”
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About Bishopsland Educational Trust
Bishopsland is an internationally recognised charity dedicated to the training and education of emerging makers in the craft of silversmithing in the UK. As a charity, we have nurtured the careers of over 270 silversmiths and jewellers over the last 33 years, over 70% of whom have gone on to develop sustainable businesses in the UK. Our one- or two-year immersive residential training programme provides a much-needed bridge between full-time education and a career as a maker. Today, our Fellows are some of the foremost craftspeople in their field.
In 2025 Bishopsland won College Trophy at the Goldsmiths Craft and Design Awards.
Bishopsland is supported through the generous patronage of our donors and supporters and is continuing its fundraising efforts in order to preserve professional craft skills. By investing in this initiative, donors will play a crucial role in safeguarding the heritage craft of silversmithing for generations to come.
You can support Bishopsland in several ways and you can read more here: https://www.bishopsland.org.uk
For further information please contact
Claire Murdoch, CEO, Bishopsland Educational Trust: c.murdoch@bishopsland.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
The press release and accompanying images can be downloaded here