Stella Layton named new Jewellery Quarter chairman

Stella Layton, the chief executive and assay master of the Birmingham Assay Office, has been named as the new chairman of the town’s Jewellery Quarter Development Trust (JQDT). 

Layton succeeds David Mahony, managing director of PCPT Architects.

The JQDT, formed in May 2011, is a community interest company that operates for the benefit of the community in the Jewellery Quarter. It also oversees the JQ Bid, which carries out a range of activities for the benefit of those who live, work, invest in and visit the area.

According to JQDT, ahead of the announcement of the council’s new budget in April – which may withdraw some financial support for the city’s BIDs – Layton is “looking forward to meeting the chairs of the other seven BIDs in Birmingham to continue the ‘joined up’ and collaborative relationship.”

Layton said: “If financial support is withdrawn by the council, the BIDs will need to work even harder to ensure they deliver their objectives for levy payers within the budget. This is why it’s so important that the Jewellery Quarter is involved with any decisions that affect the city centre and the BIDs communicate and support each other.”