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Photographs: Visually Rich
GMK staged the dinner at the Warwickshire house on the Friday of the fair, drawing retailers, distribution partners and long-standing brand ambassadors from the UK trade and well beyond it.
The evening opened the countdown to 3 October 2026, the date on which Beretta officially turns 500. It was in 1526 that Bartolomeo Beretta received his first recorded payment for arquebus barrels, and the company has remained in continuous family ownership ever since, a record that makes it the oldest industrial dynasty in the world.
What the UK leg says about Beretta’s British distribution
The UK has long been one of Beretta’s most important international markets, and the decision to stage a leg of the anniversary here, rather than confine the programme to Italy, is a straightforward signal of that standing. Ragley Hall provided the stage. Guests arriving at the Palladian mansion were greeted by the ceremonial firing of the hall’s historic cannons, lit by Simon West, Oskar Waktare and Carlo Gussalli Beretta.
Carlo Gussalli Beretta pays tribute to Bjorn Waktare
Representing the 16th generation of the family, Carlo Gussalli Beretta delivered the keynote address, and within it came the evening’s most poignant moment: a tribute to the late Bjorn Waktare. Carlo spoke of his contribution to competition shooting, describing how his vision was instrumental in developing Beretta’s competition models and shaping the product range that leads the discipline today, an influence felt at GMK and across the wider trade.
“Standing at Ragley Hall to mark 500 years of our family’s journey is profoundly humbling,” Carlo said. “The UK market holds a uniquely cherished place in Beretta’s history, built on shared traditions and deep friendships. Tonight was not only about honouring our past, but paying tribute to key figures like Bjorn, whose passion forever shaped our competition heritage, and looking forward to the next century of innovation.”
Trade partners and Olympic shooters on the guest list
The guest list ran from the competition end of the sport to the retail counter. Guests travelled from the USA, Norway and across Europe, and among them were Paris 2024 Olympic trap gold medallist Nathan Hales and skeet silver medallist Amber Rutter, alongside gundog trainer Ben Randall, industry leaders, key trade partners and long-standing ambassadors of the brand.
The 500th Anniversary Limited Edition guns on show
Guests were shown a selection of Beretta’s 500th Anniversary Limited Edition guns through the evening, celebrating the engraving, artistry and engineering that have defined the marque. The dining was built around an exclusive menu curated by Marco Pierre White, paired with wines from the Beretta family’s private vineyards in Italy.
“It was an absolute privilege to host this historic gala alongside Lord Hertford at Ragley Hall,” said Ali Angus, managing director at GMK. “Bringing together international guests, Olympic champions and the Beretta family to celebrate five centuries of unprecedented craftsmanship is a once-in-a-lifetime honour. Beretta’s legacy is built on community and excellence, both of which were on full display tonight.”
The finale was a candlelit concert performed by Fever, with 3,500 candles lighting the room as the setlist swept from the score of Gladiator to ABBA.
What the rest of the anniversary year holds
Attention now turns to 3 October itself, with talk of a major celebration planned in Rome to mark the moment Beretta completes its first 500 years and begins its sixth century.
Frequently asked questions
Who distributes Beretta in the UK?
GMK is Beretta’s exclusive UK distributor, and hosted the 500th anniversary gala dinner at Ragley Hall. Its managing director is Ali Angus.
When is Beretta’s 500th anniversary?
Beretta officially turns 500 on 3 October 2026. The date marks 500 years since 1526, when Bartolomeo Beretta received his first recorded payment for arquebus barrels.
What are the Beretta 500th Anniversary Limited Edition guns?
They are a limited run of guns produced to mark the anniversary, showcasing the engraving, artistry and engineering associated with the marque. A selection was displayed to guests at the Ragley Hall gala.
Why is Beretta called the world’s oldest industrial dynasty?
The company has remained in continuous family ownership since 1526, and is now run by the 16th generation of the Beretta family. No other industrial business has stayed in the same family for as long.
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