Beretta marks 500th anniversary with gala dinner at Ragley Hall

Photographs: Visually Rich

Few companies can claim a century of history. Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta is preparing to celebrate five of them – and the UK leg of the festivities began in unforgettable style with a gala dinner at The Game Fair in Warwickshire, hosted by GMK, Beretta’s exclusive UK distributor.

The evening marked 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.

Cannons and a grand welcome at Ragley Hall

The UK has long been one of Beretta’s most important international markets, and Ragley Hall provided a suitably grand 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 to launch the celebrations in a cloud of smoke and applause.

Carlo Gussalli Beretta’s tribute to Bjorn Waktare

Representing the 16th generation of the family, Carlo delivered the evening’s keynote address, and within it came the night’s most poignant moment: a tribute to the late Bjorn Waktare, who passed away recently. Carlo spoke of Bjorn’s profound 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. It was a fitting salute to a figure whose influence on GMK and the wider shooting community remains indelible.

“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.”

Who was at the Beretta 500th anniversary gala

The guest list reflected the breadth of Beretta’s reach across sport and countryside life. 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 celebrated gundog trainer Ben Randall, industry leaders, key trade partners and long-standing ambassadors of the brand.

A Marco Pierre White menu and the 500th anniversary limited editions

The dining matched the occasion. An exclusive menu curated by Marco Pierre White was paired with wines from the Beretta family’s private vineyards in Italy – a reminder that the family’s passion extends well beyond firearms. Throughout the night, guests were treated to a showcase of Beretta’s 500th Anniversary Limited Edition guns, celebrating the engraving, artistry and engineering that have defined the marque for half a millennium.

How the evening ended: 3,500 candles and a live concert

The finale was pure theatre: a candlelit concert performed by Fever, with 3,500 candles bathing the room in a golden glow as the setlist swept from the epic score of Gladiator to classic ABBA hits.

“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.”

What happens next in Beretta’s anniversary year

The Ragley Hall gala may prove to be one of the high points of the anniversary year, but 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.