Dear Investors,
We are pleased to share key developments across partnerships, traction, market context, and technology.
Partnerships
Palladium Vaults has agreed a significant collaboration that strengthens our advisory and execution capabilities, and revenue streams. Cliveden Conservation, led by M.D. Lewis Proudfoot, brings over 35 years of award-winning heritage conservation and consultancy experience. Cliveden works with the UK’s major heritage organisations including the National Trust and English Heritage, as well as private estate owners, operating specialist workshops in Berkshire, Norfolk, and Somerset. Their craftspeople are recognised experts in statutory works, masonry, plasterwork, and decorative arts—expertise that directly supports Palladium’s high-value and historically significant assets.
SEIS Advance Assurance
We were granted SEIS Advance Assurance in December.
Book Value Highlights
Traction has scaled rapidly. Within four months, Palladium has surpassed £40m in book value. Items awaiting appraisal include a major private collection encompassing Asian artefacts, commemorative coins, collectable cars, antique maps, and fine gold and gem-set jewellery. We are currently building our team of international Category Experts.
Market News
Over the past four months, gold prices have continued a sharp ascent, reaching multiple record highs and sustaining one of the strongest rallies in decades as investors seek safe-haven assets amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty. This environment has directly driven inbound client demand. Conversely, the UK housing market remains largely static, which continues to temper the volume of pieces coming to the open market.
Technology
AI Venture Studios are bidding for the opportunity to build Palladium’s valuations app. Chrissie Masters, Founder of Palladium Vaults and an antiques expert and 20th-century design dealer with 23 years’ experience, is leading the vision to advance object identification and valuation through emerging technologies.
She is assisted by fractional Team members and highly-experienced Advisors:
- Malcolm McIlhaga, co-owner and Technical Director of Tekate Software, and former University of Sussex Research Fellow in AI.
- Stephen Clark, FCIM, co-owner of Tekate and Happy Otter Marketing. Stephen is a specialist in SEO and GEO, and an exited founder.
- Josh Heap has joined Palladium Vaults as Fractional CPO. He has spent the last 15 years creating and commercialising web and mobile applications; his recent clients include DHL, Sainsbury’s and Jaguar Land Rover.
- Angela Garner is a COO and Executive Leader with C-level experience in transformation, banking, wealth and pensions. She has been a loyal client of Chrissie’s gallery business for over 20 years
Award Nomination
Chrissie was nominated by her Help to Grow tutors at the University of Brighton School of Business and Law for Dynamic Magazine’s Women in Business Awards.
Advisors and Mentors
PALLADIUM is guided by a world-class advisory board combining venture, AI, and sustainability expertise:
- Sush Bapna – Founding Partner, 10Ten Ventures, investing in early stage start-ups. Guiding Palladium for Product Scale
- Brian Proffitt — AI Guru, Architect of the Palladium Valuations Avatar
- Richard Cristina — Director, Founder Institute London, co-founder InnovateU Student accelerator
- Julien Lancha — “AI SaaS, Sustainability & Customer Behaviour Specialist
- “City Grump” — Stock Exchange commentator & Venture Capital Trust founder
PALLADIUM — TRUE WORTH. EXPERTLY REVEALED
We look forward to sharing further progress as these initiatives advance.
Warm regards,
Chrissie Masters