BEN MASSEY APPOINTED AS NAJ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ben Massey has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), with the announcement being made at this year’s NAJ Summit. Ben Massey’s appointment comes after sustained growth for the Association across membership and its education offering. Ben transitioned to Principal Officer last year, helping lead the NAJ’s Senior Management Team, building stronger links within industry and in government and ensuring the effective implementation of the Association’s strategy. He now becomes CEO with immediate effect. NAJ President Gary Wroe welcomes the appointment, stating: “I would like to express my gratitude to Ben on behalf of the National Committee for his dedication and hard work during the recent structural and strategic changes. His contribution has been vital to the Association’s progress and accomplishments. The committee fully trusts that he will continue to lead us towards further growth and success.” www.naj.co.uk Applications for the HALO (Hallmarking Awareness and Learning Online Awards) 2023 close on 8th September, allowing another five weeks to submit entries. The Award encourages jewellers selling online to celebrate and promote the hallmark. Chair of the HALO Award Judging Panel, Rachael Taylor shares her thoughts on the Award and what could make a successful application. Launching the 2023 Award at the NAJ AGM in June Rachael said: “We all know that hallmarking is a vital method of consumer protection but does your customer know that? Do they know what to look for, and why? I urge you to take a good, hard look at your marketing and communication around hallmarking. Consider how you can get the key messages and information across.” Celebrating hallmarking adds a little magic to the article. As well as regulating precious metal fineness, hallmarks can be a portal to a world of craft and excellence. Consumers today are fascinated by how things are made: where they are made and what the processes behind the finished products are. Hallmarking is a hugely romantic part of the jewellery sales process, and it should be a celebrated element of the customer journey. A hallmark connects the customer to hundreds of years of history and tradition and reinforces that what they are buying is special. The Hallmark has potential to bring value to the business, and is well worthy of attention and prominence. www.britishhallmarkingcouncil.gov.uk CHAIR OF JUDGING PANEL OFFERS HELPFUL ADVICE FOR BUSINESSES ENTERING THE HALO AWARD 2023 THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY APPOINTS THREADBARE TO PRODUCE APPAREL RANGE The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced the appointment of Threadbare, a family-run fashion house where style and quality meets the needs of everyday life, to produce a wide range of apparel for women, men, children and – in a first for the RHS – dogs! The first collection launches in time for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in Knutsford, Cheshire (19-23 July 2023), and features eight pieces consisting of two tops, one pair of trousers and one dress – each in a choice of two colourways. All the designs used in this collection have been inspired by assets from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s finest collection of botanical art. The partnerships with the RHS will be highlighted on the Threadbare website. The first range is available exclusively on Threadbare.com. Threadbare/RHS apparel ranges for men and children, and jumpers and jackets for dogs, will follow in 2024. To support the launch campaign, a photoshoot took place at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford – a stunning 156-acre RHS Garden in the heart of the North West. Threadbare has also visited the RHS Lindley Library in London to highlight the images that inspired the prints used on the fabrics and filmed promotional material. www.rhs.org.uk Threadbare launched in 2017 as a contemporary menswear brand. Since then, it has expanded into womenswear, childrenswear and accessories and, most recently, fashionable accessories for dogs. Today the company supplies fashion for every family, combining style with everyday needs in affordable, purposeful product that’s made to last. All Threadbare clothing is designed and manufactured in a way that benefits the local community, while minimising impact on the wider environment. None of the materials used are derived from animals. INDUSTRY NEWS 109
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=