Our Team is Growing | New Recruits

We are pleased to introduce our latest recruits who join our Jewellery, Asian Art and Marketing Departments. From left to right, Esme Tanner, Georgia McConnell and Emilia Gambell.

Esme Tanner

Jewellery | Cataloguer

Esme has always been drawn to things with a bit of sparkle. After attending art school she put her creative flair and practical skills to good use and fell into the world of metalwork and jewellery and hasn’t looked back since. Training in Jewellery Manufacture in Hatton Garden soon led Esme to widen her eyes to the world of museums and antiquities by heading to West Dean College to train in Metalwork Conservation, learning how to make keys for locks, restore firearms and hammer sheets of metal into goblets. Onwards from this she then undertook further residential silversmithing training at Bishopsland Educational Trust and worked in Museums in Essex and as a Silversmith in London, making trophies for large sporting events such as Formula 1.

Let’s get to know her…

What attracted you to the role here at Sworders?

I love to wonder at the craftsmanship of something well made, and more so with jewellery and metalwork. So working in a busy team environment, and with interesting works was an opportunity not to be missed.

Do you have any hobbies?
I have my own little side hustle making jewellery in gold and silver and objects such as spoons and boxes. I love enamelling and am hoping to get my enamelling kiln up and running at some point so that I can get back to playing with colour on silver.

Do you have plans to travel this year?
My happy place is when I am outdoors and being active, so I’m really looking forward to returning to Devon to do a bit of surfing and climbing.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what one luxury could you not live without?
Hmm so tricky… I would either choose a surfboard (the fun choice!) or a phone so that I would be able to call friends and family up for a good chat. Not a modern phone to scroll Instagram endlessly though...  it would have to be something like an Nokia 3310 so that it would be indestructible.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
As a teenager I submitted a piece of street art that I had put up on the South Bank in London to a website documenting the rise of everything street art. Six months later Banksy hit the Gaza strip… with my idea!

Georgia McConnell

Asian Art | Cataloguer

Born in London, with art always on her doorstep, Georgia completed an Art Foundation course at Kingston University, and followed this by reading Art History at University of St Andrews. After graduating during the year of Covid, she interned with the Islamic & Indian Art department at Chiswick Auctions, which lead to a permanent role the following year at Roseberys Auctioneers. With a desire to learn more about handling Chinese and Islamic art, she selected an object-led Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Arts at SOAS, to have the opportunity to experience handling sessions at the V&A and other institutions. Whilst she is able to speak some French and Spanish, she is also currently learning Arabic as she hopes to travel around the Middle East in the future.

Let's get to know her...

What part of the new role are you most excited about?

I’m looking forward to learning as much as possible. I am excited to be involved with growing the Asian Art department, and expanding our intake of contemporary Asian art.

Do you have any hobbies?

I have an art Instagram for keeping track of emerging contemporary artists and exhibitions. (@LondonArtPalette). When I’m not running around London exhibitions, I enjoy playing tennis.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

I spent part of my childhood growing up in Switzerland, living next to a field of cows. Watching them come down from the mountains once a year dressed in giant floral headdresses and giant bells was a spectacular and memorable occasion. I even wrote a song about it.

Which country would you most like to live in and why?

France – for the pastries, bien sur! I have a very sweet tooth.

Which museum, anywhere in the world, would you most recommend visiting?

The Kunsthistorisches in Vienna. It has the most amazing eclectic collection of art and objects. I visited the year that they invited Wes Anderson to curate an exhibition room, selecting art from the museum archives.

Emilia Gambell

Marketing | Marketing Assistant 

After finishing Sixth Form in 2019, Emilia was fortunate enough to be offered a position on the Christie’s apprenticeship programme to work within the Client Insights team. It was here that she discovered her interest in data analysis which later developed into a passion for digital marketing. This lead on to applying for university where she is currently studying a BA in Marketing & Communications for Fashion at London’s Fashion Retail Academy, alongside her new role here at Sworders. Although having a background solely in data insights, her degree has allowed her to explore other areas under the marketing umbrella and she looks forward to putting these skills into practice as a part of the marketing team.                                                                           

Prior to joining Sworders, did you have much experience with auctions/auction houses?

Yes, I completed an apprenticeship with Christie’s from 2019-2021 fresh from Sixth Form and found the world of Auction houses fascinating. I was in the Client Insights team along side completing my level 4 in Data Analysis. Venturing back into the fine art world is very exciting and I am looking forward to learning more about the inner workings of the business and expanding my marketing skill set.

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

During my down time, I am a keen runner. Recently, I have participated in a few events and have a few more in the diary for this winter including a Santa Claus fun run, boxing day 10km and Cambridge half-marathon. When I am not running, I love to spend time with my 3-year-old Bichon-Maltese dog called Casper, by taking him on walks and incorporating a pub lunch/café stop on occasion. Lockdown allowed me to develop my interest in cooking and baking. My favourite dishes include pizzas, cupcakes, pies, and slow cooked brisket.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

I completed my first London Marathon in October of this year. The achy legs were worth it, and it shall be the first of many! Overall, I helped to raise almost £4,000 for charity through a charity bingo night, sweepstake, and general donations.

Which museum, anywhere in the world, would you most recommend visiting?

Personally, my favourite museum must be The Natural History Museum. As a child, the giant moving dinosaur is mesmerising and it is something everyone should get the pleasure of experiencing at least once!

Which country would you most like to live in and why?

It would have to be Italy; I have been to the Naples/Sorrento area before and fell in love with it. The most beautiful food, scenery, lifestyle, and weather I have ever encountered.

Sworders' staff are the core strength of our business. As we expand we are always looking for the best talent to increase our momentum.

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