Michael Allchin, Chief Executive & Assay Master,
Birmingham Assay Office Group
Michael Allchin is the current Assay Master and Chief Executive of the Birmingham Assay Office, a position he has held since January 1999. Michael has worked in the jewellery trade ever since 1973 when he graduated from Cambridge. During his career he has worked for small and large, public and private companies, and has extensive experience of both selling and buying jewellery. He joined the Birmingham Assay Office from Signet Group Plc. where he had been Buying Director for H. Samuel for fourteen years. Under Michael’s management the Assay Office is becoming an increasingly dynamic business, focused entirely on the needs of the jewellery, silver and watch industries. In addition to its statutory duties, the Assay Office now offers a wide portfolio of services which include diamond certification, precious metal analysis, nickel testing and jewellery valuations.

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Emma Rogers - Financial Director
Emma Rogers FCCA BA (Hons) is the Financial Director at
The Birmingham Assay Office.

Emma took up her post on 30th June 2006.  She is an ACCA Accountant as well as a Graduate in Business and Languages – specializing in French and German.

Emma started her business life in practice and then moved into industry.  She has joined the Birmingham Assay Office from National Guarantee PLC, part of the GMAC Group and has previously worked at GVA Grimley and Glynwed International.

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Dippal Manchanda -Technical Director
Dippal holds a Masters degree (M.Sc.) in inorganic chemistry and has over 20 years experience in assaying and the examination of precious metals and alloys. He is also a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and has attained the level of membership of "Chartered Chemist". the UK Science Council has recently awarded him the status of "Chartered Scientist", a recognition awarded to those scientists who demonstrate the application to stay up-to date in their field. Since completing his Masters degree, Dippal has spent his entire career in the field of precious metals and has been involved in several prestigious precious metal projects, including setting up a state-of-the-art Gold/Silver Medallion manufacturing facility for a Public Sector undertaking in India. In his role as Chief Assayer, he is responsible for setting, managing and maintaining high analytical standards throughout the Assay Office and providing scientific and technical support on a day-to-day basis to both statutory and non-statutory part of business. His passion for work and continual quest for more knowledge drives Dippal on, and he hates to be asked a scientific question he can’t answer. During the past 12 months alone he has undertaken major research in cooperation with Cookson’s Precious Metals which has resulted in the defining of a numerical grading system for colour measurement and grading of white gold alloys. His most recent project has been the development of a new portfolio of tests which assess the susceptibility of items to tarnishing.

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Marion Wilson, Marketing Director, Birmingham Assay Office Group
After starting life in the hotel management industry, Marion quickly swapped to the side of the bar she prefers and moved into marketing in 1984. Joining H. Samuel Plc as a Market Analyst in 1985 proved to be the start of a 10 year roller-coaster ride through the years which saw the Ratners take over of H.Samuel, the buoyant years of the late 1980s and the difficult start to the 1990s. From 1988 onwards Marion was responsible for all H. Samuel marketing including catalogues, POS, consumer PR, TV and National Press advertising.
Marion is now Marketing Director with responsibility for all areas of the business.

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Ian Hodges, Engineering Manager, Birmingham Assay Office
An Incorporated Engineer registered with the Engineering Council, Ian has a life time of experience in engineering design, problem solving and process control. Ian’s career began as a technician apprentice with Pottertons (boiler makers) where he gained a Full Technology certificate in Production and Mechanical Engineering. He then joined the Merchant Navy and travelled the world as a Senior Engineer Officer with P&O. Having been everywhere and got the
T-shirt, Ian returned to a UK engineering company specializing in Automation, before starting his own company which he managed for 25 years, manufacturing lines for domestic appliances, automotive, television, chemical and many other industrial products. Ian joined the Assay Office four years ago and his skills have already made a major contribution to The Assay Office’s mission. New technology and processes he has introduced have resulted in hallmarking being carried out more quickly and efficiently and to higher quality. Ian’s talent for design and development skills have resulted in the application of up-to-the-minute technology to a very traditional activity.

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Ian Bayley - Quality Manager
Ian Bayley has a wealth of experience to offer the organisation. A Chartered Chemist and Member of the Royal Society of Chemists, he initially joined the Assay Office team in 1983 and progressed his career steadily, to become the Technical Services Manager in 2000. His aptitude for processes and systems had led him into close involvement with the Office’s Quality Management System, for which Ian is responsible. Ian is also a long-serving member of the Nickel Working Group, being involved in the initial trials of test methods which are now required by European legislation. Ian’s knowledge of all issues relating to the Nickel legislation is extensive and he is responsible for the production of the AnchorCert Nickel Standard, and the UK Nickel Testing Policy which was developed in conjunction with LACORS and other interested parties.

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Marie Brennan, Business Relations Manager, Birmingham Assay Office
Marie’s remit as Business Relations Manager is to ensure that the Assay Office maintains strong relations with its customers, specifically on the Hallmarking side of the business. This involves listening to our customers needs and working in partnership with them to meet their requirements. Marie is also responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with trade organisations, suppliers, governing bodies, charities, schools, universities, local authorities, and to increase awareness and understanding of The Assay Office. Before joining the Assay Office, Marie spent 17 years with the British Jewellery and Giftware Federation where she held a number of posts before being appointed General Manager in 1997 with overall responsibility for the day to day running of the organization.

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Marie Chalmers FGA, DGA, Account Manager for SafeGuard and AnchorCert
Marie joined The Birmingham Assay Office from Signet Group where she was a diamond buyer, she has also worked with Backes and Strauss selling, diamonds and coloured stones.

In Maries role at The Assay Office she travels the country, visiting customers to gain feedback on our services and to provide information and training wherever she can. Marie is supported by the marketing team and she aims to help our retail partners sell more valuations and certificated diamonds, making sure they gain maximum commercial benefit from the services we offer.

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Tim Smith Account Manager
Tim joined the Assay Office in January 2005 as Account Manager for The Laboratory. Having worked in the precious metal industry for most of his career, including Engelhard and AMI Doduco, Tim has a wide knowledge of the precious metal industry. He has  worked as a sales engineer in the industrial and refining divisions with his previous companies. His current role is raising the awareness of the full extent and scope of services offered by the Birmingham Assay Office.

Tim is a keen martial arts expert and travels all over the country practising his art.

He has practiced various forms of karate over many years and currently holds his black belt in Shotokai karate.

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Kelly Fisher Marketing Co-ordinator, SafeGuard
Kelly Fisher, formerly known as Kelly Harper until her recent marriage to Paul, has worked for SafeGuard since it became part of the Birmingham Assay Office in 2000.   Kelly’s is responsible for organising SafeGuard Valuation Event Days which take place throughout the year and ensuring that these days are successful and run smoothly. Kelly also oversees all marketing materials that customers need to promote the SafeGuard service and deals with any new customer accounts and enquiries.  

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Dr. Sally Baggott, Curator, Birmingham Assay Office
Sally recently joined the Assay Office as Curator. She began her working life as a Chemical Analyst, and worked for several years at Severn Trent Laboratories. In 1996, she decided on a change of career, studying English Literature and Cultural Studies as an undergraduate at the University of Birmingham, and late nineteenth century literature for her Ph.D. A spell in museums followed, including the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and Thinktank at Millenium Point. In addition to looking after our extensive Library and silver collection, Sally is responsible for forging partnerships with the heritage and local communities, working with institutions such as Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, and with groups such as the Jewellery Quarter Association. Her remit also includes raising the profile of the Assay Office and increasing awareness of Hallmarking through promoting the history and heritage of Birmingham Assay Office. 

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Anu Manchanda MSc FGA DGA PJ Dip. F.N.A.G. Diamond Graduate (GIA)
Senior Gemmologist, AnchorCert

Anu Manchanda holds a Master degree (MSc) in Geology from India and subsequently FGA, DGA from the School of Jewellery, Birmingham and Professional Jewellers’ Diploma (PJ Dip) with distinction from the National Association of Goldsmiths. She is also a Fellow of The National Association of Goldsmiths (FNAG). She is recipient of the Christie’s Prize for Gemmology (2004). This is a trade prize awarded to the best candidate of the year who derives his or her income from activities essentially connected with the jewellery trade. Since May 2005, Anu is tutoring for the Gemological Association of Great Britain’s Correspondence courses (Home Study) students appearing for both - the Diamond Diploma & Gemmology Diploma courses (DGA & FGA). Recently she has completed her Graduate Diamond Course from The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is presently studying to be a Pearls Graduate (GIA). As a ‘Senior Gemmologist’ of the AnchorCert, a division of the Birmingham Assay Office, Anu is responsible for accuracy and new initiative in the diamond grading and gems testing department. The specialized equipments such as Raman Spectroscope, FTIR, SSEF Diamond Spotter, Diamond View, Diamond Sure, Sarin-DiaMension, Colorimeter etc. required for the identification and correct grading of diamonds and gems and their synthetic counterparts are used under her guidance and direct supervision.

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Jim Potts FGA, DGA, RV, Dip, Senior Valuer, SafeGuard
Jim has been a valuer for SafeGuard for 15 years, having once worked for H Samuel and Zales gives him a good all round knowledge of the jewellery trade.
Jim's interests in jewellery extends well beyond working hours. He is a keen goldsmith and designs and makes his own jewellery in a workshop at home. However in the last few years Jim has put this hobby on hold to build his own house.  Jim also has a passion for classic sports cars and would eventually like to retire abroad.

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Mark Malin, Sampling and Assay Manager / Offsite Manager,
The Birmingham Assay Office
Mark has been with the office for 28 years. During this time he has worked in the sampling and assay department and spent a number of yearsin the Technical services laboratory prior to his appointment as Sampling and Assay Manager 10 years ago.
For the last 18 months,Mark has also been responsible for the 5 off-site offices.
In his spare time he enjoys playing snooker and follows F1 racing.

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Mandy Whitehouse, Office Manager, SafeGuard
Mandy began working at The Birmingham Assay Office in 1992 as a member of the production operation team in the hallmarking department. In 2000 SafeGuard became part of The Birmingham Assay Office and Mandy went for the role of administration assistant. This certainly paid off later as she went on to become Office Manager and is currently very much enjoying her job. Mandy enjoys walking and having a good socialise with a glass of wine. She also loves line dancing, hates cowboys.

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Sophie Whitehouse, Marketing Co-ordinator – The Birmingham Assay Office.
Sophie has been at The Birmingham Assay Office for 2 Years and began working as part of the SafeGuard team. She has now joined the Marketing Department and her role is to deal with all new AnchorCert accounts and enquiries. She will also take care of marketing materials for customers to promote the AnchorCert service.
Sophie is a shopaholic and a proud Aston Villa supporter (but couldn’t name more than 3 players). She also enjoys spending her time at the gym keeping active and socialising with friends.

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Marisa Grice – Progress Clerk – The Birmingham Assay Office
Marisa’s role at The Birmingham Assay Office is to ensure the efficient passage of customer’s work throughout all departments. She also takes care of informing customers on progress of their work.
Marisa enjoys cycling, country walks and socialising at weekends. She is also a proud supporter of Manchester United Football Club and yes, she does go to Old Trafford.

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Kathy McMillen - Operations Manager - Hallmarking Division

Kathy has spent her entire working life at The Birmingham Assay Office. Kathy has been appointed Operations Manager of the Hallmarking Division and has full responsibility for overseeing production both at the Central Office in Birmingham and for the current eight Sub-Offices situated throughout the country.

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