History of Hersey & Son

M. C. Hersey & Son Ltd is a Silversmiths workshop based in London manufacturing sterling silver tableware as well as jewellery and silver gifts. The founder of the company, Michael Hersey, established the business in 1971 having served 16 years as a silver spinner in Soho and Clerkenwell, starting as an apprentice at William Comyn's workshop in 1955. His son, Stewart, joined him in 1981 after training as a silversmith at The Sir John Cass School of Art, now part of London Guildhall University and at Grant Macdonald's workshop in Southwark. Today the company are a team of silver spinners, silversmiths, polishers and engravers as well as a friendly bunch in the office to look after our customers and ensure that dealing with us is a simple and pleasurable experience. Here at Hersey we are passionate about keeping the crafts of Silversmithing alive and the team use many time tested techniques which date back centuries alongside the latest cutting edge technology to create high quality and well designed pieces that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

  • 1962

    Michael Hersey

  • 1982

    Stewart Hersey

  • 2022

    Stewart Hersey

Our Timeline

1954

Michael joins Wm Comyns & Sons as a silver polisher aged 15years earning &2.7/6

1955

Michael changes trade to silver spinner and starts apprenticeship with Comyns.

1966

Michael starts work at CJ Vander in Hatton Garden.

1968

Michael rents a small workshop in Clerkenwell Green, still working at Vanders also.

1971

Michael teams up with silversmith David Mills and they move to Rawstorne St, Clerkenwell.

1971

Stewart drilling holes in silver sugar dredgers etc on Saturday mornings (Aged 10!)

1974

Michael and David acquire shop premises at 43 Church St, Twickenham with workshop behind.

1977

Stewart starts apprenticeship with Grant Macdonald in Southwark, London.

1981

Stewart joins Mills and Hersey in Twickenham.

1984

David Mills leaves and M.C Hersey & Son begins.

1987

Hersey & Son move to larger premises in Railway Road, Teddington.

1987

Continued expansion manufacturing silverware at home and abroad.

1999

Websites Practicalsilverware.co.uk and Hersey.co.uk launched and selling on the internet began.

2006

Michael hangs up his spinning tool and retires.

2007

Stewart moves the company to Walton on Thames.

2016

Stewart becomes a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths'

2021

Stewart becomes a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths'