Appointment
Appointments to posts—such as leadership changes, new executive hires, board nominations, and key management shifts—are critical indicators of strategic direction, operational priorities, and business confidence in the UK jewellery sector. Whether it’s a new creative director at a design house, a CEO stepping in at a major retailer, or a sustainability lead joining a supply-chain group, these personnel moves influence brand vision, commercial policy, and trade relationships. Jewellery Focus tracks and reports on significant appointments across retail, manufacturing, design, education, and trade organisations—analysing the experience and impact of new hires and what their arrival signals for the future of the businesses they join. Our coverage helps industry professionals monitor talent movement, understand evolving leadership trends, and anticipate changes in strategy, partnerships and market positioning.
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Dec- 2019 -9 DecemberAppointments
The Incorporation of Goldsmiths appoints Ebba Goring as new director
Ebba Goring has been appointed as the new director of The Incorporation of Goldsmiths, one of Scotland’s most ancient institutions. Goring succeeded Mary Michel, who joined the business in 2002 and became director in 2012, and will continue to promote ethical silversmithing. In her previous role as the Incorporation’s programmes…
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2 DecemberAppointments
New ‘Jeweller in Residence’ for Birmingham museum
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter has announced the appointment of Vanessa Miller as its second ever ‘Jeweller in Residence’. Miller will work for the museum over the next year, creating an exclusive collection as part of a project to promote local designers through a partnership with the Birmingham City…
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Nov- 2019 -12 NovemberFeatures
15 Minutes with Scott Walter, Edinburgh Assay Office CEO
Tell me about your appointment as chairman of the Convention on the Control & Marking of Articles of Precious Metals? On 1 November I will take up the Chair of the Convention. The Convention is an international treaty between contracting states. It’s purpose is to create a mechanism for cross…
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12 NovemberAppointments
Daniel Smirat appointed as CEO for Gemometrics
Gemometrics has announced the appointment of Daniel Smirat as it new CEO. The Swedish-based company, which offers tools to validate diamonds and other gemstones, revealed that Smirat will take over the role from Peter Larsson who has been CEO since May 2018. Smirat began his journey with Gemometrics in the…
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1 NovemberEconomy
Treasury Committee urges MPs to reform ‘broken’ business rates
The government has been urged to fix the “broken” business rates system as it is continuing to affect high street retailers, a Treasury committee has said. An influential group of MPs has asked the government to examine alternatives to property tax, which puts more pressure on high street retailers than…
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Oct- 2019 -18 OctoberRetailers
Links of London slashes 38 head office roles amid administration
The joint administrators of Links of London have announced 38 redundancies at its head office in Victoria, London. It comes after the British jewellery brand entered administration earlier this month (8 October), placing around 350 jobs at risk. It currently operates 28 standalone stores across the UK and Ireland and…
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9 OctoberRetailers
Links of London enters administration placing 350 jobs at risk
British jewellery brand Links of London has entered administration, placing around 350 jobs at risk. Matt Smith and Dan Smith, restructuring partners at Deloitte, have been appointed as joint administrators to the company. The brand is owned by the Greek Folli Follie Group, with headquarters in London, and sells luxury…
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4 OctoberManufacturers
Facets PR goes into liquidation owing £190,000
The jewellery industry public relations firm Facets PR, set up by former Retail Jeweller editor Sarah Carpin, has gone into voluntary liquidation owing almost £190,000. A Statement of Affairs published on Companies House showed Facets Communications Limited – the company’s legal name – had appointed a voluntary liquidator, affirming speculation…
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Sep- 2019 -12 SeptemberBrand Profiles
Beaverbrooks: Celebrating 100 years
What started out with three brothers moving to Belfast with just a suitcase full of silverware and a dream of selling fine jewellery and gifts has ended up as a thriving business celebrating a century of trading this year. Founded by Isaac, Harry and Maurice Adlestone, Beaverbrooks now operates some…
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Aug- 2019 -14 AugustAppointments
Houlden appoints James Rice as director
Luxury jewellery consortium, the Houlden Group, has announced the appointment of James Rice as the latest director to join the board. Rice is currently sales and marketing director of Hull based Hugh Rice, a luxury family-run jeweller founded in 1965 which has since expanded from Hull and Beverley, throughout Yorkshire…
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