Jewellery trailblazer rewarded for government role with CBE
Jason Holt - Credit: Archant
A former Highgate School pupil who set up the UK’s first professional training school for jewellers has been recognised for his work to promote apprenticeships.
Hampstead Garden Suburb resident Jason Holt, 45, founded Holts Academy which trains up to 1,000 aspiring jewellers each year and works as an apprenticeship ambassador for the government.
Mr Holt started the academy after taking over the family jewellers in Hatton Garden, Holborn, in 1999.
The father-of-three, who grew up in Platts Lane, Hampstead, has been made a CBE for services to the jewellery sector and apprenticeships.
He said: “It was apparent to me that we had an issue with recruiting young talented people and at the same time our workforce wasn’t getting any younger. There was also a report that said there was no professional training in the sector.
You may also want to watch:
“Because we had a workshop of skilled craftsmen we set up a small training team which in 15 years grew from a workshop for a few people to a school teaching 1,000 every year.”
Mr Holt, a trained lawyer, added: “It’s incredibly humbling and surprising, never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to have such an honour.”
Most Read
- 1 Armed police search Tube at Finchley Road and find 'imitation' gun
- 2 Teenage girls charged with Hampstead robberies
- 3 'Big elephant's backside': David Hare and Nicole Farhi slam house plans
- 4 Camden Council seeks to honour Covid-19 pandemic heroes
- 5 Mary Feilding Guild: New Highgate owner claims 'widespread Legionella'
- 6 Buyers launch legal action after £75k bill for flammable cladding
- 7 HIV 'progress is stalling' says Royal Free doctor who consulted on It's A Sin
- 8 'Silver lining of lockdown': Blockheads saxophonist brings Muswell Hill cheer
- 9 Boy George and Bananarama join Kenwood 2021 concert line up
- 10 Camden arts charity sets up award in memory of actor Helen McCrory