The Last Word... goes to Scot Walker
16 Nov 2021
Next month, The Benevolent Society Christmas Ball returns, sponsored by Parify Group. The Jeweller Magazine sat down with Director and joint owner of the Parify Group and co-founder of website-building service Back on the Highstreet (BOTH), Scot Walker to discuss his career and more .
Who has been the biggest influence on your working life?
My wife! She is the one who’s enabled me to do what I do, put in the hours day after day to build the businesses. Without her support, enthusiasm and belief, the Parify Group would not be the enterprise it is today.
Describe your career journey leading to the jewellery industry?
It goes from studying engineering at Coventry to selling computer-aided software. I moved to Spain for around 10 years and became heavily involved in renewable energy.
When I came back to the UK, I saw that people were really slow on the uptake of LED lighting, so I had a few conversations with a couple of local jewellers about the challenges they faced with lighting.
I was astounded that the technology to illuminate jewellery correctly didn’t exist. This, with my engineering background, created the spark to start developing industry specific lighting, and Parify Lighting was born.
After many IJLs, where we built cabinets to show the lighting off, we were approached by industry people wanting to buy cabinetry with our lighting installed. So we created Parify Retail Design – a new enterprise manufacturing cabinetry with Parify lights, all in one package!
Soon after, we started doing full shop fits. Fast forward to today – we’re growing, currently recruiting again, and are excited for the next chapter in our evolution.
Looking back at your career, what would you do differently if you had your time over?
That’s a tough question. I’d probably have gone self-employed at 21, focusing on technological developments sooner – kind of following my calling: renewable energy and low-energy consumer products, all helping with our global issues.
I’d probably patent a few of the ideas and technologies we’ve developed over the years and networked better to have a greater reach.
If you could have a beer/wine/cuppa with anyone in the jewellery world, who would it be and what would you talk about?
It would be a very nice Rioja from Spain's Ribera del Duero region, in particular, Tinto Pesquera Crianza 2014. There are many I’d love to chat with.
Current friends and colleagues aside... probably Franck Muller, for his desire to always push the envelope with incredible complications of the wristwatch.
What three words describe you best... in your view...
Focused, innovator and perspicacious.
... AND according to others?
Creative, annoying, reliable.
What prompted you to establish BOTH and how well has it been picked up by the trade so far?
During lockdown 1, it quickly became apparent that all PPE would be in scarce supply when it finally came time to reopen. We leveraged many of our UK and overseas contacts to source everything we could to help the industry get back on its feet.
Shortly after stores could reopen, having spoken to many people of their experiences during this tough time, it was very clear that the businesses that came out strongest were those with a strong online presence. We felt that if we could help the retailers survive by getting them online, it could keep the whole supply chain alive, too. So Back on the Highstreet was born.
The venture has been grasped by the independents as a very cost-effective way to get online, our team is steadily growing and we have some great plans to give even more back to the industry soon!
Of what, in your career to date, are you most proud?
I’d hope through our involvement in people’s businesses and their uptake of our technology, we’ve helped them achieve their revenue goals and achieve their targets. Secondly, any recognition from our industry bodies is gratefully received.
Is there a gadget that you can’t live without?
My smartphone – to be able to access real-time information, CCTV, smart home controls, and live communications with friends and colleagues is priceless. It also enables us to wirelessly control all of Parify’s lights!
What indulgence would you not be prepared to give up?
Can I have two? Red wine and dark chocolate!
Tell us something not many people know about you.
I can read people’s minds.
What was the last music that you downloaded?
Paul Oakenfold – Summer Sun
What keeps you awake at night?
Nothing! When I retire, as soon as my head hits the pillow, I’m asleep.
Often the birds will wake me with the dawn chorus around 4am in the summer, just before the alarm at 5:30.
View Back On The Highstreet (BOTH)
Source: The Jeweller