The National Association of Jewellers Announces New Chair Following its Annual General Meeting
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The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), held on 6th June at the Tower of London, saw Adam Jacobs announced as the new Chair of the Association, succeeding Heather Callaway FIRV.
Following a speech by Henrik Skouby, outgoing President of the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF), NAJ President Gary Wroe welcomed the 70-plus members in attendance on behalf of Heather Callaway, who was unable to attend due to a family bereavement. In her absence, Gary Wroe delivered Heather’s speech, highlighting “the remarkable achievements” made in various areas over the past two years of her tenure. “We have witnessed significant developments that have shaped the NAJ into today’s dynamic and forward-thinking Association. Post-Covid and after much internal soul-searching and discussion, the NAJ has emerged with a clearer vision of where it sits in the trade and how it can help shape its future,” Gary shared.
The speech concluded by expressing Heather’s “deepest gratitude to our members for their unwavering support and commitment, and to the entire NAJ team for their dedication and hard work in driving our progress.”
In Gary’s final act on the day, he handed over the Chain of Office to Adam Jacobs PJ Dip, who then addressed the room.
Adam Jacobs, joint-owner of Jacobs the Jewellers in Reading, a CMJ member and Liveryman of the Goldsmiths’ Company, has volunteered on the NAJ’s National Committee since 2016 and commented that he has “seen first-hand how far the NAJ has progressed.” Thanking the pan-sector volunteer members of the National Committee and the specialist Standing Groups for their wealth of experience, knowledge and insight,” he said that he was “eager to amplify this work with their support.”
Announcing the stepping down of volunteers Barry Sullivan FIRV (representing the Institute of Registered Valuers and the professional and technical standards group) and Leesha Jogia (JET Business Network Group representative), he recognised their positive impact and introduced Alexia Taylor MIRV (professional standards Chair) and Peter Wong from Wongs Jewellers (JBN) as their successors. The National Committee will be further bolstered by Domino’s Kerry Saunders and Neil Ventura from Ventura Fine Jewellery at the next meeting.
Adam thanked Heather Callaway for “generously giving her time and expertise the past two years and being instrumental in helping the NAJ become a more visible and proactive force within the trade.” Adam looked ahead, saying that he’d “love to see a more collaborative trade, starting by facilitating a more transparent, representative, and cooperative industry working together on common ground.” He reminded delegates that in February, the NAJ hosted 23 trade representatives to welcome Sir Chris Bryant, shadow minister for Digital and Creative Skills, “so that he could hear from us what our industry challenges are. It was a genuine milestone moment,” he added.
Finally, he referenced this year’s NAJ Awards, which will take place in Birmingham’s Burlington Hotel on 10th October – for the first time, a stand-alone event and now with 15 categories across three thematic pillars: Great Ideas, Great People and Great Businesses. The event will also recognise those members celebrating 50, 75,100 and 125-year anniversaries with the Association.
