Opinion
Winter 2021
Chair's foreword Support We will support access into, with and through the UK jewellery community, increasing the value of membership by enhancing the relevance of benefits and breadth of knowledge and expertise available to the NAJ community.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, they say… well that depends on how well business is going, I reply!
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hankfully, for much of the trade I speak to regularly, things are looking up. It’s no secret, though, that we all need the festive season to be successful in retail for the whole supply chain to enter 2022 with confidence and vigour.
The NAJ Strategy For our part at the Association, we enter the new year with confidence. Our strategy is set, albeit for just two years, given how things can change in the current climate. Our focus is on standards, community and sustainability – common themes in the sector, perhaps, but themes that as the trade association for the jewellery sector, we absolutely stand for. Here’s a top line snapshot.
Standards We will set and promote standards, delivering activities to protect, promote and prepare members businesses and development of qualified and informed professionals.
Representation We will advocate the value of the British jewellery industry, championing the interests of member businesses, stewarding relationships with relevant bodies to foster informed debate on the issues impacting our members.
There’s more information on the new strategy on page 17, but I want to thank the National Committee and staff for their support in getting this far. In 2022, we’ll turn our attention to delivery, and communication to stakeholders will be critical as we all progress.
Introducing the Chair’s Award As we go to press, we’re getting very close to the Benevolent Society’s Christmas Ball. This black-tie event is sponsored by the Parify Group and has long been the perfect occasion to celebrate Christmas with staff and colleagues. This year, however, it will be an extra special experience since we were unable to hold it in 2020 due to the pandemic. By very happy coincidence, the ball returns to the Grand Hotel Birmingham, the same venue that hosted the first Jewellers' Ball in 1933, which was attended by King George V. In the very same ballroom as the first ball, 200 trade guests will be treated to an evening brimful of entertainment and enjoyment, which – as has always been the case at this event – aims to raise significant
funds for the Benevolent Society, the charity which provides a range of accessible funds for the jewellery community. The ball is something we’ve been proud to be a part of in recent years, and this year is no different. I’m delighted that, at the ball, the NAJ will recognise the outstanding contribution of an individual or business with a new Chair’s Award. Everything we do as a body is based on Honesty, Integrity and Professionalism, and these are also the criteria for the Chair’s Award. The last two years have presented immeasurable challenges for jewellers and their businesses, and in some circumstances, they have taken quite extraordinary steps to support workforces, communities and projects. I am very much looking forward to presenting this award, which is kindly sponsored by Windiam.
Get the most out of your membership Being part of the Association means you and your business are not just part of the professional jewellery community but also part of the single jewellery sector trade body that has your back. You may find some benefits less relevant than others, which is understandable given the membership is so diverse, but I do encourage you to speak to the team if you have a particular challenge or aspiration we can support. Sometimes you just don’t know until you ask! All that leaves me to do is wish you a safe (and successful) festive season, and a Happy New Year!
Gary Wroe NAJ Chair
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