The Last Word

goes to David Doyle

We get up close and personal with David Doyle, president of the National Association of Jewellers, vice chair of the Benevolent Society and owner of Jewellery Brokers.

Who has been the biggest influence on your working life?

Today, purely by chance, it’s Mark Adlestone of Beaverbrooks. He was interviewed on The Fed podcast, and it wasn’t anything he said about jewellery, it was his other inspiring words.

I don’t believe in a single biggest influence on any aspect of my life (other than my wife, Jan). I’ve learned that as we grow in all parts of our lives and as our journey continues, our influences change. This means new dynamics keep appearing and this constant updating is essential if we are to continue to learn, be inspired and go on to achieve our best.

Those who have influenced me know who they are, and they’re too numerous to mention. I’ll always be grateful to them. Tell us about your career journey in the jewellery industry

One of my first part time jobs, aged 17, was in a jewellery shop in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. It set my initial interest in jewellery. After school, I entered full time employment away from the jewellery trade, for major UK national companies, like Cadbury Schweppes, in sales roles. At 24, I had an opportunity to return to the jewellery trade, which I took, starting as a manufacturers’ agent.

I was successful – one of my manufacturers tried to halve my commission because they decided I was earning too much. I contacted the British Jewellers Association (BJA) to check my rights… I didn't really have any! I told the manufacturer to shove it and set myself up as a wholesaler.

Also, I got more involved with the BJA – while they couldn’t really help me, I believed they should have been able to, and I wanted that change to happen. I determined to do this by getting stuck in at the rawest level – the only way I know how to make change.

Eventually, my wholesale business thrived and I was also partly responsible for the first BJA Agents Contract. I believe it’s still about today in its updated version.

The rest is still work in progress, as they say, because I’m not quite done yet.

What three words describe you best.... in your view AND according to others?

My view – loyal, conscientious, gregarious.

Jan asked our friends and colleagues and the words repeated most often were: generous, compassionate, larger than life.

Looking back at your career, what would you do differently if you had your time over?

Nothing. At each moment in my life when I’ve had to make a career decision, I’ve ascertained all of the information I could at that time to help me make the right decision. I’ve then taken that decision. Which four industry characters (living or departed) would be your ideal dinner companions?

Fei Lui because he recently told me about the wonderful hand-made dumplings he makes, so we could munch on these while chatting with Lawrence Graff about some of the incredible places and situations he must have been in as he conducted some sales at such epic £££s. Louis Francois Cartier would join us so we could all learn more about how it all began and also about some of his beautiful creations. The fourth dinner place, I’d auction for charity at the next Benevolent Society Ball.

Tell us something not many people know about you....

I always wanted to be a vet. I still do.

What have been your stand-out moments (or single moment) during your time as NAJ president?

I won’t answer this now because I still don’t know if I’ve had that moment or if it’s yet to come. Believe me when I say that I am more interested in the answer to this question than you are.

When my presidency ends, I’ll work out that answer and I’ll let you know.

If you could wave a magic wand, what one thing would you change about the jewellery industry?

You won’t actually achieve much that’s long-lasting by waving a magic wand in my opinion. You could perhaps simply alter or adjust a moment or two in time. Our industry is bigger and better than that. We’re not a perfect industry by any means, but we are an industry of creatives, constantly looking for the next or the best or a different way. This creates incredibly powerful dynamics and synergies. If anything we could become better at harnessing these and using them to achieve more.

What keeps you awake at night?

People who don’t act honorably or with integrity or who act with just self-interest at heart.