Patrick Fuller receives ‘Outstanding Contribution’ Award
LONDON, July 2, 2016 – Patrick Fuller, who with his wife Vivian owns WB The Creative Jewellery Group, was the recipient of ‘An Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award’ at the 2016 UK Jewellery Awards held at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel in London on 29th June.
Presenting the Award Ruth Faulkner, editor of Retail Jeweller Magazine, which organises the event, said that ever since she joined the jewellery industry she has held Fuller in great esteem and that he is one of ‘her favourite people’. It was clear that many of the more than 600 guests at the Hilton felt the same, giving Fuller a resounding standing ovation as he walked to the stage to receive the Award.
As Faulkner told her audience, there are very few honorary roles within the industry which Fuller had not held.
He was a past President of The National Association of Goldsmiths and past Chairman of The British Jewellers’ Association whilst in recent months he has played a pivotal role in effecting the merger of the two to create the National Association of Jewellers.
Together with his wife, Vivian, whose family business he joined in the late 1970’s – having previously worked in the paint industry – Fuller has built one of the UK’s largest and most successful jewellery producers – WB The Creative Jewellery Group – which encompasses the fine jewellery brand Domino, the casting, 3D printing and bespoke manufacturing company Weston Beamor and since 2012 the fashion jewellery brand Gecko.
Speaking following the presentation, an emotional Fuller, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday, said he was ‘humbled’ to be honoured in this way and paid tribute to the huge contribution made by Vivian and all the many hundreds of people they have together employed since taking over the business.
“Its employees are the most crucial ingredient of any business and it is our fantastic team who have made our success possible,” he said.
He was also keen to praise the creativity of the industry that he loves and to welcome the innovation of the younger generation.
In a fleeting reference to Brexit, he said he felt that the UK at large was in for turbulent times but ended by saying that he had no doubt at all that the British jewellery industry – thanks to its huge reserves of talent — would continue to prosper.
