The allure of gold is proving remarkably resilient, even in a world still grappling with the aftermath of the cryptocurrency boom and bust. A new player in the precious metals market, the Bullion Club, is capitalizing on this shift in investor sentiment, achieving a turnover of £4 million and forecasting £8 million for the current financial year.
Founded by Harry Thorne, a 30-year-old entrepreneur whose path began sweeping floors at age 16 for £20 a day, the Bullion Club is tapping into a demand for accessible gold investment. Thorne’s journey underscores a broader trend: a flight to tangible assets as confidence in digital currencies wanes.
Thorne’s early experiences shaped his investment philosophy. His grandfather gifted him a gold coin each birthday, a collection that ultimately provided a £16,000 deposit for his first flat in Epsom. “That was lesson one. Gold preserves wealth,” Thorne told GB News. This personal experience contrasts sharply with a £1,000 investment in cryptocurrency that he lost entirely, a lesson he describes as “priceless.”
The Bullion Club, based in a Grade II listed mansion in Leatherhead, Surrey, currently employs 11 staff. The company focuses on independently graded, sealed Royal Mint sovereigns and britannias – UK legal tender coins that benefit from a capital gains tax (CGT) exemption for British investors. Entry to the “club” begins around £2,500, positioning it as an accessible investment option comparable to an Individual Savings Account (ISA) contribution.
“I spent years watching people being pushed into products they didn’t fully understand,” Thorne explained. “Bullion Club came from a simple idea: make it easier to own real, verifiable, high-quality gold in a way that’s clear and transparent. We focus on assets that stand on their own merit, not a sales story.”
The rise of the Bullion Club coincides with a period of heightened geopolitical tension and evolving economic conditions. The price of gold and silver has seen significant increases over the past year, driven in part by tariffs from the US and broader global uncertainty. While some “fear premium” may subside if markets stabilize, Thorne believes a more fundamental shift is underway.
“We’re seeing demand influenced by longer-term themes like diversification, confidence in fiat currencies, and institutional/central-bank interest, not just a single news cycle,” Thorne stated. saw record levels of gold demand and new highs in the gold price, suggesting a sustained appetite for the precious metal.
However, Thorne cautions against unbridled enthusiasm for cryptocurrency, warning retail investors to exercise caution. “They can be highly fragmented and sentiment-driven. Price can be whipsawed by liquidations or thin liquidity. There’s also operational and counterparty risk that many people don’t fully understand.” He acknowledges that gold is not without risk, but emphasizes its historical role as a store of value.
The CGT exemption attached to UK legal-tender bullion coins is a significant draw for investors, particularly those in higher tax brackets. However, Thorne stresses that other factors are also at play. “Clients like recognisability, liquidity and independent grading,” he says. “They want clarity on what they’re buying. More people want tangible, understandable assets alongside traditional portfolios. And when clients understand the proposition, they refer others.”
For potential investors, Thorne offers a simple piece of advice: “Start with clarity: are you investing for long-term preservation or trying to build a portfolio that can work alongside an ISA that is being hit by annual limits? Focus on finding a reputable company that has a strong track record. And if you’re unsure, get independent advice; nothing here is personal financial advice.”
The Bullion Club’s success story is not merely a tale of entrepreneurial grit, but a reflection of a broader recalibration in investor priorities. As the memory of the crypto crash fades, the enduring appeal of gold – a tangible asset with a centuries-long history – is once again coming to the fore.
