Coutts Business Development Forum

The winners of the inaugural Coutts New Jewellers Awards had the chance to hone their commercial skills at a Business Development Forum at 440 Strand recently.

The sixteen winning jewellers, each with a business less than four years old, heard from a series of inspirational industry and financial experts over the course of two days. The seminars focused on a range of skills - from core basics such as putting together a business plan and getting funding, to other key skills such as marketing, branding and PR.

On the second day, the winners were also able to share lunch and a Q&A session with one of the UK’s most celebrated jewellers, Stephen Webster.

Commenting on the forum, winner Alex Duxbury of SHO Fine Jewellery said: “The range of speakers was fantastic and I found the seminars on securing additional investment particularly useful.”

Marisa Hordern of Missoma thought the timing of the forum was particularly apt. “This was a really creative, upbeat and optimistic forum which was very useful in the current economic climate. I’ve also made some really useful contacts.”

And Bex Manners of Bex Rox was keen to put her newly acquired skills into action. “I’ve been putting off drawing up my business plan for a long time,” she said, “but these seminars have really shown me that it isn’t difficult and that I can do it.”

Sarah Deaves, chief executive, commented: “We were thrilled to work with such promising new jewellers, particularly given our extensive track record of assisting some of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs.

"Hopefully, some of the information they have picked up at Coutts will help them remain resilient and to grow their businesses in these challenging times,” she added.

A number of the Coutts New Jewellers Award winners have also this month launched the Jewellery Designer’s Collective.

To celebrate the launch the group is giving away a huge selection of designer jewellery. Enter to win one of 20 pieces of stunning jewellery made by the designers, from modern fashion pieces to diamond-set fine jewellery. The Treasure Pot includes sumptuous jewellery designed by Jessica de Lotz, Alexandra Simpson, Katie Rowland, and Nina Koutibashvili, and other new and established designers. The draw will take place on Sunday 14th June, at the Treasure designer jewellery exhibition in Covent Garden. Email info@jewellerydesignerscollective.co.uk for details on how to enter, and check the website for details of the launch event: www.jewellerydesignerscollective.co.uk   

For more information on the Jewellery Designer's Collective please phone Cindy Dennis Mangan on ph: +44 (0)781 661 7959