Houlden Group hires ex-QVC head jewellery buyer

Stuart Laing, CEO of The Houlden Group, has announced the appointment of Vanessa Priest as marketing consultant.

Having recently initiated a review of its branding, the Houlden Group says it has identified a number of projects to “bring additional benefit to both its members and suppliers”.

Priest will be working with Laing and his team to improve the marketing support to Houlden Group members, as well as further developing the body’s branding of Jewellers of Excellence.

Priest’s 20 years of experience have covered jewellery, branding and multi-channel retail, including nine years at QVC where she rose to head of buying for jewellery.

She said: “The [Houlden] Group offers a high level of support to its members, and my role is to promote Jewellers of Excellence, to provide marketing strength through enhanced branding, as well as to offer innovative ways for members to grow their businesses.”