MEET THE TEAM
The lovely people who make IHD work
It’s not only desirable jewellery that has made us a success. Each one of our Team is personally dedicated to ensure each customers experience is something to treasure.
Iain (Owner / Bill Payer)
The face behind the business name, Iain Henderson.
Iain looks after clients when they come to the studio, providing expert input to the design process and ensuring they can make an informed decision about their purchase.
With his extensive knowledge and experience in handmade jewellery, he oversees each project and works with our designer and goldsmith to perfect the client’s specifications.
Iain began his career journey in 1988 by studying jewellery making at Bradford College. He went straight onto get his Silversmiths Degree from Sheffield University in 1990, where he perfected his craft.
His early creations sort imitate interest from private collectors of silverware, with items also being snapped up by London socialites who additionally commissioned Iain to make other bespoke pieces of jewellery. This was the very moment that he could envision a sustainable business opportunity in jewellery making. Shortly after, IHD was born in 1996 where Iain initially made collections that were stocked in several independent high street jewellers across the UK. Although making an income, he was creatively frustrated with only supplying the required items to high street stores. In 2010 he changed IHD’s direction, preferring to engage with customers directly and deliver the most unique and personal of jewellery pieces.
Iain and his wife Joanna live adjacent to the IHD Studio with their four dogs. Apart from making jewellery design his life, he loves to walk the dogs and peruse his other technical passion in classic and modern cars. He is a keen patron to the VW scene and enjoys tinkering with the engines and bodywork of his MK1, MK2 and MK6 Golfs; driving them around the country to display at car shows, while also winning some trophies along the way!
Karl (CAD Designer / Goldsmith)
Karl both designs and makes IHD jewellery. As well as being our Master Goldsmith, he’s a whizz with our 3D visualisation software, creating beautiful images of customers’ jewellery requests.
Karl started his career in Kent, and has worked in the jewellery business since he was 15, working his way up and learning his craft sitting at jewellery benches. He started manufacturing for the high street 6 years, before finding challenging positions at jewellery repair workshops, and then he settled into the jewellery design and manufacturing side, where his talents were best unleashed! In 2008 he sensibly relocated to Manchester 11 years ago and he took up his position with IHD over in Yorkshire.
With all his travelling from Manchester to Bingley over the last 11 years, Karl has decided he has had enough of the M62 (and who can’t blame him!) and has set up a studio over in Manchester. He is still making our jewellery for us, but just not in the IHD workshop anymore. Always the perfectionist, he likes the little details, which makes Karl perfect for spending hours shaping and polishing a ring, or placing stones in a wedding band – just so! Karl’s favourite pieces are the more unusual ones, which push his skills to the limit. He hopes one day to make his own watch from scratch – we reckon he will do it!
Karl spends time having fun with his 3 kids and Partner, when he can get away! He rides his Motorbike and keeps a keen eye on the football, but this all comes second to his online gaming pursuits.
Donna (at the helm in the office)
Donna is responsible for the overall management of the office, making sure that everything is running correctly and that designs and customers are updated at the right time. Donna is normally our client’s first point of contact, introducing them to their design journey, and making sure they are very well looked after.
Donna started with IHD back in 2016, having come from a long career in a customer-focused position within the finance sector. Donna instantly took the opportunity that arose at IHD as the Office Administrator, which suited a desired career change after having her little boy Jenson. Donna fitted right into the team here, and soon took charge as the Office Manager, through the great way she is with our clients and keeping us all super organised!
Away from the office Donna is a loving mummy, who enjoys spending lots of time with friends & family.
Asha (The creative part of the team)
Asha is the newest addition to the IHD Team. She has spent her first year working with Karl in the studio getting a feel for what we do, and how we make and design our jewellery. This has allowed her to help design alongside Iain, now that karl isn’t a permanent fixture here at the studio. Asha has put her super organising skills to use in the office, helping implement some new procedures and making the office a smoother place to work.
Asha has come to us from having worked previously at a leading greetings card company, where she managed the Creative Support team and liaised with other departments to produce final physical mock-ups of the designs. She achieved an admirable role at such a young age, but Asha sort relief from the mass production industry, to follow her passion for real handcraft.
When Asha’s is away from being creative at work, she is being creative at home, doing her own craft projects; painting, drawing and supervising her naughty kittens! She also loves to travel and enjoys booking her own complex holidays that would make Phileas Fogg blush.
Security Pooches (100% Adorable)
The first one on the left is Dolly a Staffy, she just loves people, nonstop licking and she likes to smile at you. In the middle at the front is Ruby a French bulldog, we call her The Ginger Ninja, the cheekiest of the bunch. Beau on the right, she is a Staffy crossed French Bulldog, the one that is always on the go like the Duracell Bunny. Last, at the back is Big Norma a Rottweiler crossed German Shepard, she has the biggest bark to announce that security is tight.
JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES WINNER 2021CUSTOMER SERVICE WINNER 2020IHD are proud to announce winning the Wedding Awards for Jewellery and Accessories plus the ido Magazine Wedding Award for Outstanding Customer Service. |
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Contact our team to book / receive more info
01274 551 224 - info@iainhenderson.co.uk
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APPOINTMENT STUDIO ADDRESS: Bingley, BD16 |
OFFICE ADDRESS: IHD Jewellery Maker, 15 Queens square, Leeds, west Yorkshire, LS2 8AJ |