About the Award
David Wilkins (1931-1994), former Chairman of the National Association of Goldsmiths (the NAJ's predecessor) Valuations Committee, had a distinguished career in the jewellery industry and was widely known and respected both for his outstanding personal qualities and great expertise. More than any other individual David sought to encourage high standards of conduct and professionalism in respect of valuations.
The award that he sponsored remains as his legacy in promoting the aims for which he strove for so long.
The National Committee of the National Association of Jewellers may award the David Wilkins Trophy if an IRV has demonstrated outstanding skill, dedication or service in respect of jewellery appraisal and valuation.
The Trophy comprises an Elizabethan-style silver dish which is inscribed with the winner's name who retains it for the relevant year. It is complemented by the award of a £100 gift token to spend with the Gem-A to supplement the winner's personal reference library and/or add to the equipment they use.
The award was first presented in 1994 in memory of the late David Wilkins who was instrumental in setting up the Institute’s predecessor, the N.A.G. Registered Valuer Scheme, and comprises an Elizabethan-style silver dish which is inscribed with the winner's name who retains it for the relevant year. It is complemented by the award of a £100 gift token to spend with the Gem-A to supplement the winner’s personal reference library and/or add to the equipment they use.
Nomination and Qualifying Criteria
An NAJ Institute Registered Valuer may nominate any other IRV they feel merits nomination. A nomination may also be made by an NAJ member.
Completed nominations for the 2023 award must be submitted via the below online form no later than 29th May 2023.
Nominate for the David Wilkins Award 2023
Nomination Criteria
There is no official list of criteria that will enable a nominee to fulfil the citation but the following examples of conduct may provide some guidance:
- Consistently producing valuations of an exceptional standard.
- Giving help and guidance to colleagues or to members of the public.
- Working to promote and further the aims of NAJ Institute Registered Valuers.
- Providing information/resources for NAJ Institute Registered Valuers.
- Achieving exceptional results in training and/or examination.
- Demonstrating high integrity.
- Showing diligence in research and information gathering.
- Displaying general conduct that is likely to enhance the reputation of NAJ Institute Registered Valuers.
Rules
- Nominees may include members of the Valuations Steering Group.
- A nomination must be by either an NAJ Institute of Registered Valuer Member/Fellow, an NAJ Member or someone qualified to make an informed judgement as to the merits of the nominee.
- Past IRV winners can be nominated.
- When considering nominations, the Valuations Steering Group may call for further proof or particulars to support a particular nomination and may, at its discretion, exclude a nomination without stating reasons.
- The Valuations Steering Group shall seek nominations annually by written notice to all NAJ Institute of Registered Valuer Members/Fellows and NAJ Members.
- The selection from the nominations received will be by ballot of the NAJ Institute Registered Valuers.
- These rules may be amended at any time by the Valuations Steering Group, which has absolute discretion in all matters to do with the award of the Trophy.
2022 Winner
We are delighted to announce that the winner of the 2022 David Wilklins Award is Jacqueline Sanders FIRV. Jackie collected her award from Barry Sullivan FIRV, the Institutes Chair, when her name was announced during the Valuers' Dinner at the NAJ Summit held at the Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club, Northamptonshire on the evening of Saturday 11th June 2022.
“I am genuinely surprised, privileged and delighted to accept this award. Also, I am honoured to join the list of past recipients, many of which I know or have known, admired and respect.
“I’d like to send my sincere thanks to those who nominated me, and for those who voted for me.
“Just to give you a little perspective, I joined the jewellery trade in 1989, having been approached by an independent local jewellers, asking if I would like to join them. Unbeknown to me, one of the owners was a registered valuer and his business partner was a designer goldsmith. They employed another goldsmith, and we had an onsite self-employed hand-engraver. Between these four men, a phenomenal amount of jewellery and silver items passed through the shop.
”If you expressed any interest, they were delighted to talk to you, and showed you what they were working on. It was a fascinating experience, and a privilege to work in this environment. They were instrumental in igniting a passion to work in this trade. Sadly the recession took hold, things changed, and unfortunately the shop closed.
"My previous employer invited me back, but I was hooked, and very quickly returned to the jewellery trade. I then worked for various multiples, and during the next ten years, I undertook various trade qualifications, and my professional acquaintance with the registered valuer continued, as no matter which jewellers I was working for, he undertook the valuations.
“In the summer of 1999, I sought advice regarding which qualification to next attempt. He suggested going to the Valuers’ Conference. Slightly daunted, I accepted. I was absolutely captivated, and can vividly remember the speakers, and workshops. I loved the way that we all mixed, at one meal you could be sitting with a top expert in the country, and at the next meal sitting with a complete beginner. It felt inclusive, I loved it! A couple of weeks later, Charles Perry offered me a job to train with him whilst taking the N.A.G.’s JET Valuation Diploma Course, and I commenced work in January 2000.
“I undertook the course steadily, and was given a brilliant opportunity to watch and learn. We visited many retailers, solicitors, bank vaults, home visits and much more. I had to gain the trust of many of the retailers, I was a stranger to them, but they were all so encouraging. One particular retailer allowed me to visit one day a week cataloguing. They would take off all the tags, and I perfected the art of appraising, it was a great learning opportunity.
“I subsequently qualified and in 2003 applied for N.A.G. Registered Valuer status. I quickly appreciated, without obtaining the same degree of qualifications that my peers had accomplished, I would not be respected. So, I then set about taking the FGA and DGA. In 2007 my employer encouraged me to become self-employed. Again I was daunted, I had a couple of retailers, and steadily, over the next few years, I built up my business reputation.
“I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of many people, my husband, our daughters, family, friends, colleagues and countless retailers. Also the support of Sandra Page, and colleagues in the Institute of Registered Valuers. We are a fabulous community of people, experts and genuine friends, and I’m privileged to be part of it.
“I would particularly acknowledge my colleague Susan Pennington. Together we have been CAT tutors for many years, but our friendship strengthened during lockdown. We wanted the MIRVs and FIRVs to feel connected, even though we couldn’t physically meet. Virtual conferences have been popular, and we thoroughly enjoy organising them.
“When I set myself the goal of becoming an RV, I wasn’t sure I was capable of it, but I persevered. I am constantly learning, and it’s a pleasure to do something I love. The reward is that I work with people I respect, I enjoy being part of this fantastic team, and I have met so many people that inspire me. Several of them are no longer with us, but they have left their mark.
“My job is challenging, fulfilling and rewarding, and I love it!
“Thank you sincerely, I am truly honoured to receive the David Wilkins Award.”
The other nominees were:
Peter Buckie FIRV
Heather Callaway FIRV
Simon Johnson MIRV
Steven Jordan FIRV
Susan Pennington FIRV
Avril Plant FIRV
Barry Sullivan FIRV
Previous Winners
Since the Award was first presented in 1994, the winners have been as follows:
- Terence J Watts - 1994
- Alan J Smith - 1995
- Roy V Huddlestone – 1996
- J Louise Butterworth – 1997
- Peter J R Jackson – 1998
- Brian R Dunn – 1999
- Michael S J Norman – 2000
- Philip L Stocker – 2001
- Rosamond S Clayton – 2002
- Paul Templeton – 2003
- John S Harris – 2004
- Heather McPherson – 2005
- David J Callaghan – 2006
- Alan Hodgkinson – 2007
- Peter Buckie – 2008
- Steven Jordan – 2009
- Adrian S Smith – 2010
- Michael S Inkpen – 2011
- Jonathan Lambert – 2012
- Shirley Mitchell – 2013
- Peter Hering - 2014
- Graham Price and Barry Sullivan (joint) - 2015
- Geoff Whitefield - 2016
- Tim Bicknell - 2017
- Michael Inkpen - 2018
- Shirley Mitchell- 2019
- Barry Sullivan - 2020
- Barbara Leal - 2021