British Hallmarking Council appoints new Chairman
Noel Hunter OBE has been appointed as Chairman of the British Hallmarking Council with effect from 6 April 2017.
In accepting the appointment, to which he was elected for a 3 year period, Noel said:
I am delighted to be elected to lead this prestigious and important body. Hallmarking verifies the integrity of some of the most precious items we possess, both on a personal and a monetary level. Without the ability to these trust these precious items are what they say they are our jewellery industry would be badly undermined. All that glisters is indeed not gold.
Noel’s key challenges will be to ensure the integrity and portability of UK hallmarks following Brexit, to ensure that consumers understand the value of hallmarks, supporting and protecting the UK’s jewellery industry through the Council’s advice to government, and to maintain the excellent worldwide reputation of the UK’s 4 Assay Offices in Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and Sheffield.
Noel Hunter is a former Director of Warwickshire County Council, was a former Warden of the Birmingham Assay Office. a Vice President of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute and also chairs the Myton Hospices, a Midlands based charity.
Noel’s predecessor who led the Council for the last 6 years is Christopher Jewitt, who continues with a number of public duties as well as being a Director of Footprint Tools, Sheffield. In his opening address to the Council, Noel paid tribute to Christopher’s prodigious and tireless work on behalf of the Council.