Supporting new stars: introducing the Coutts New Jeweller Awards

Coutts London Jewellery Week is offering a unique opportunity to 20 up-and-coming jewellers with the introduction of the Coutts New Jeweller Awards. Created to support new talent in jewellery design and craft – industries that are particularly vulnerable in the current economic climate – winners will be able to draw on the bank’s wealth of expertise by taking part in the Coutts Business Development Forum, receiving advice on how to remain resilient during these testing times.

This intimate event will see winners schooled in how to sustain and grow their business, through inspiring lectures by industry experts across a broad range of fields including brand development, business planning, funding, marketing and PR. All specialists in their chosen fields, speakers will be drawn from both within and outside the jewellery industry to ensure that the winners receive relevant tips on how to maximise their presence in the marketplace. A lunch will also be hosted by leading jeweller Stephen Webster.

Open to any business that is less than 4 years old and based in London, the Coutts New Jeweller Awards will also provide winners with complementary bronze level participation in Coutts London Jewellery Week, which runs from the 8-14 June 2009. This will provide an online presence on the event’s website, a listing in the Guide, of which half a million copies are circulated throughout the capital, and benefit from international media promotion thereby significantly raising their profile.

Entries will be judged according to the creativity of their planned event for Coutts London Jewellery Week, the company’s current profile and its portfolio of design. All applications for the Coutts New Jeweller Awards must be received by Friday 9th January 2009, with the panel announcing winners by Friday 16th January.

Announcing the launch of the Coutts New Jeweller Awards, Sarah Deaves, Chief Executive Coutts & Co commented that. ”We have extensive experience of working with some of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs and are delighted to pass on this knowledge to help support the next generation of entrepreneurs in the jewellery industry. With this in mind, we are pleased to introduce the Coutts Business Development Forum which be held in March.”

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Board Chair of organisers the City Fringe Partnership, added: “We are delighted to be able to offer support to new jewellers to the industry and thank Coutts & Co for their tremendous insight to the needs of small businesses during this challenging economic time. With much planned for the Week, it promises to be a tremendously exciting time for London’s jewellery industry”.

More information about the Coutts New Jeweller Awards can be found on the Coutts London Jewellery Week website: www.londonjewelleryweek.co.uk and forms can be requested from the team at ljw@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk or by calling Rosie Kempson on 0207 630 1411.

Make sure you shine out in the crowd and become a Coutts New Jeweller Awards winner.

For further press information / photography / interviews please contact Charlotte Hastings or Francesca Tarrant at The Communication Group plc - T: +44 (0) 20 7630 1411,

E: chastings@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk/ ftarrant@thecommunicationgroup.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Coutts London Jewellery Week is organised by the City Fringe Partnership, with funding from the London Development Agency, and is sponsored by Coutts.

The City Fringe Partnership

The City Fringe Partnership (CFP) uses a sector-based approach to encouraging growth in industries key to the City Fringe and London economy. By establishing new, or supporting existing, industry forums the CFP identifies market needs within individual sectors. For further information on its support for the jewellery sector please visit the CFP website: www.cityfringe.org.uk /jewellery .

London Development Agency

The London Development Agency aims to improve the quality of life for all Londoners - working to create jobs, develop skills and promote economic growth.

www.lda.gov.uk

Coutts & Co

Coutts & Co is the UK private banking arm of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Coutts & Co offers clients a range of products and services covering sophisticated investment products together with expertise in trust and fiduciary services and UK tax and banking services. Coutts commercial banking arm also provides full banking service to UK businesses. Coutts & Co is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Coutts & Co Registered in England No 36695 Registered Office 440 Strand London WC2R 0QS.

Call may be recorded. For further information please visit the Coutts website: www.coutts.com