NAJ appoints new chairman and vice-chairman
The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) has announced the appointment of a new chairman and vice-chairman.
Simon Johnson, owner of Marmalade Fine Jewellery, was confirmed as the NAJ’s chairman at the organisation’s annual general meeting yesterday evening (Wednesday, 8 June) while Harriet Kelsall, of eponymous jewellery brand Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, will support him as vice-chairman.
Speaking of his appointment Johnson said: “I feel that given the recent unification we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to affect some real and great changes to the way the association and its members benefit each other.
“My first priority is to get the six steering groups up and running so the key areas of the association’s work can start to be addressed and the NAJ can move forward. I feel incredibly privileged to be invited into this role.”
Michael Rawlinson, CEO of the NAJ, said he is “delighted” to be working with Simon as the incoming chairman. He added that Simon is a “great leader, with a clear vision for the association over the next two years”.
Kelsall added: “As somebody who runs a design, manufacturing and retail business I have a balanced view of the needs of the different aspects of the membership and I hope to help promote and ensure this balance runs throughout the organisation in line with the unification.
“I am keen to try to further improve our ethics across the industry. I am keen that we develop our great JET education courses even further,bring them to new audiences and also collaborate with other great training providers.”
The AGM followed the 2016 Congress, in which speakers commented on different aspects of leadership skills. Rawlinson also revealed plans are underway for a “bigger and better” conference in 2017, which he hopes to reveal later this year.