The NAJ 2019 Awards Winners Announced
SOLIHULL, December 2019 – Attendees at the Benevolent Society Ball witnessed 11 front runners of the industry recognised as part of the NAJ’s Annual Awards ceremony on December 5, 2019, supported by sponsor Jewellery & Watch.
Now in its fifth year at the festive, fun-?lled and increasingly popular ball, the NAJ Awards attracted guests from across the UK and internationally, including Italy, Germany, Ireland and France, as companies, individuals and teams were recognised for their professionalism, honesty and integrity.
Left to right; NAJ Chair Harriet Kelsall, the four strong Purely Diamonds team collecting the Retailer of the Year Award sponsored by Hockley Mint, who are represented by MD Gary Wroe far right.
The glittering ceremony was hosted by NAJ Chief Executive, Simon Forrester and NAJ Chair, Harriet Kelsall who presented each winner with their awards, and paid tribute to the talent in the jewellery industry,
“This is one of my favourite events in the jewellery industry calendar. Of course, massive congratulations to the winners but also congratulations to those who were shortlisted. The talent in our industry is overwhelming and in order for the industry to thrive in the future we need to recognise, champion and celebrate excellence as much as we possibly can.
“At this event [the ball] it’s also important to recognise the generosity of the individuals who help to raise funds for the Benevolent Society, that can then be reinvested into people of the trade where it is really needed.”
At the ceremony Purely Diamonds scooped two awards with Retailer of the Year and Sales Manager Tracey Jones taking home Sales Person of the Year, while Hockley Mint picked up the award for Jewellery/Watch Supplier of the Year.
Retailer Drakes returned to Plymouth with the Physical Shop Front of the year award, while Sheffield’s PA Jewellery made the return leg to Yorkshire with the Team of the Year award. Bond Jewellery perhaps had the shortest trip of any victorious retailer back to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter with their award for Website of the Year.
The hotly contested Workshop Professional of the Year was won by Alexander Wood who has recently completed his apprenticeship with Nathaniel Groves, while Designer of the Year was awarded to Julien Riad Sahyoun who continued his success from the UK Jewellery Awards earlier in the year.
Popular teacher, writer and dealer Kerry Gregory from Gemmology Rocks was awarded Service Provider of the Year, while Innovation of the Year went to MyriamSOS who cut her holiday short to make the event. And finally, Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year was won by Monica Vinader.
Attending the Awards for the first time, and as Headline Sponsor, David Sutton from diamond marketplace Nivoda said:
“We were honoured to have the opportunity to support the NAJ Awards this year.It was an excellent night that really celebrated those doing great things in our industry. We can’t wait to see what the next 12 months bring!”
The winners of the NAJ Awards 2019 are:
Headline Sponsor: Nivoda
Physical Shop Front of the Year – Drakes
Sponsored by: VM & Events Ltd
Innovation of the Year – MyriamSOS
Sponsored by: Clarity & Success
Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year – Monica Vinader
Sponsored by: Pursuit
Website of the Year – Bond Jewellery & Diamonds
Sponsored by: IJL
Jewellery and/or Watch Supplier of the Year – Hockley Mint
Sponsored by: Inhorgenta Munich
Service Provider of the Year – Gemmology Rocks
Sponsored by: Parify
Retailer of the Year – Purely Diamonds, Manchester
Sponsored by: Hockley Mint
Sales Person of the Year – Tracey Jones (Purely Diamonds)
Sponsored by: Windiam
Team of the Year – The PA Jewellery Team
Sponsored by: TH March
Designer of the Year – Julien Riad Sahyoun
Sponsored by: Clogau
Workshop Professional of the Year – Alexander Wood, apprentice to Nathanial Groves
Sponsored by: Presman Mastermelt
