Sheffield Assay Office Attends Installation of New Master Cutler
Published: 8th October 2026
Sheffield Assay Office was delighted to attend the installation of Ian Nicholls as the 387th Master Cutler of Hallamshire on Tuesday 6 October 2026.
Held at the historic Cutlers’ Hall in Sheffield, the ceremony marked the beginning of Ian’s year in office, succeeding Professor Keith Jackson.
With over 40 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, Ian has spent much of his career at Sheffield Forgemasters, where he currently serves as Group Technical Director. His background in metallurgy and engineering reflects the Master Cutler’s longstanding connections with Sheffield’s manufacturing industry.
The annual installation is a special occasion in Sheffield’s calendar, bringing together the city’s rich industrial heritage and a tradition that spans over 400 years. It was a pleasure for Sheffield Assay Office to be part of the celebrations and recognise a tradition that remains an important part of the city’s identity.
We extend our congratulations to Ian Nicholls and wish him every success in his year as Master Cutler.
The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.
To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us ,
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