BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE LAUNCHES ASSAY HUB – A NEW WAY TO WORK The Jewellery Quarter has always been more than a place to work. It was built on shared expertise and continues to thrive as an epicentre of industry knowledge. Within it, they’re introducing Assay Hub, a new membership space by Birmingham Assay Office, designed to offer jewellery professionals a community environment and access to specialised screening equipment. For many working in jewellery and precious metals, the technical kit required for verification isn’t readily available, or affordable. Working remotely lacks the energy of the Quarter. Access to peers and face-to-face consultation is limited. Assay Hub has been created to change that. It offers a professional setting where gemmologists, valuers, and jewellery specialists can work alongside one another. Located in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter – a central hub for the UK jewellery trade – Assay Hub also provides a convenient base to step out, meet clients, connect with other professionals, and stay embedded in the wider industry. Set within one of the most established institutions in the trade, Assay Hub provides: • A welcoming, professional workspace in the Jewellery Quarter Access to specialist gemmological screening equipment • A community of like-minded professionals • A central base to connect with the wider trade across the UK Alongside the workspace, members enjoy tiered access to meeting rooms, discounted gem reports, and invitations to networking events that connect professionals from across the trade. With flexible options – including pay-as-yougo access as well as part-time and fulltime memberships – Assay Hub allows members to access the sense of community that defines the Jewellery Quarter in a way that supports modern, independent working. Membership costs begin at just £50. Contact Birmingham Assay Office to arrange a private viewing. www.theassayoffice.co.uk SARA MILLER CELEBRATES A DECADE OF DESIGN WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION In 2026, Sara Miller London celebrates its 10th anniversary with the launch of a dedicated Anniversary Collection, marking ten years of evolution from premium greeting card start-up to internationally recognised lifestyle brand. Founded in 2016, the British design house quickly became one of the UK’s fastest-growing design brands, selling more than one million greeting cards internationally within its first year. Today, the business spans homeware, gifting and fashion accessories, with distribution across 60 international markets and an extensive portfolio of more than 1,000 SKUs. Over the past decade, the company has built a robust licensing and wholesale infrastructure, secured major retail partnerships and expanded across multiple product categories, all while maintaining a distinctive and recognisable brand identity. Founder Sara Miller is an award-winning British designer, shortlisted for more than 15 industry awards in the past three years. Named ‘Most Promising Young Designer’ at the Henries Awards in the brand’s launch year, Sara Miller London has since become a five-time winner of Best Licensed Fashion or Talent Brand at the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards (2018–2024), competing alongside global names including David Beckham and Emma Bridgewater. Known for its bold colour palettes, intricate illustrations and signature gold detailing, the brand has successfully expanded into luggage, handbags, bath and body and gifting, supported by long-term licensing partnerships including tableware with Portmeirion and collaborations with Elite Tins. The 10th Anniversary Collection, launching across SS26 and AW26, represents more than a design milestone, it signals the brand’s continued focus on strategic growth, scalable product architecture and international expansion. Spanning its most commercially successful categories, from ceramics and outdoor dining to stationery, kitchen storage, tins and handbags, the collection reinforces its premium yet accessible position within the global lifestyle market. Structured as a series of seasonal launches, it aligns with key retail moments throughout the year while maintaining cohesive storytelling across every category. Reflecting on the milestone, founder Sara Miller comments: “Reaching ten years in business is an incredibly proud moment. What began as a small design studio has grown into a global brand, and the anniversary collection feels like a celebration not just of our designs, but of the partnerships, retailers and customers who have supported us along the way. As we look ahead, our focus remains on thoughtful expansion, creative integrity and building a brand that stands the test of time.” A decade on, Sara Miller London stands as one of Britain’s most recognisable and decorated contemporary lifestyle brands, a testament to the enduring power of confident design, cohesive identity and considered growth. www.saramiller.london INDUSTRY NEWS 5
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