An Open Letter to IRVs

06 Jan 2023

 

 

Welcome to the New Year 2023 From Barry Sullivan, Chair of the National Association of Jewellers, "Institute of Registered Valuers Community Group", and Chair of the "Professional and Technical Standards Standing Group".

It was a successful year in 2022; we achieved a great deal with the help of team NAJ and the National Committee who continue to support the Institute go from strength to strength. We said ‘Happy Retirement’ to the much loved Sandra Page and welcomed Katie Gillespie and Stacey Foster who will be our main points of contact moving forward.

Thank you

I want to start by thanking everyone for their commitment, including NAJ and IRV members, the tutors who support the education team and especially our vital team of volunteers. We are currently supported by some of the jewellery industry's most experienced people. Their time is given without personal reward, but it is greatly appreciated. From the National Committee, through the various Community Groups, JET Business Network, the Professional and Technical Standards Standing Group, and the Education Qualifications Standing Group, all of these volunteers support the Association to help to make NAJ a strong representation of our industry standards.

Looking Ahead

The future very much has my attention, and I'd like to invite members to register their interest in supporting the two groups I chair. My invitation is to join our "Teams Meetings" online, which helps team NAJ provide members with the support needed to keep us at the pinnacle of the jewellery trade.

We typically have between three to five meetings each year, each lasting a few hours. I want to help prepare our members for potential future terms of office at these community and standing groups. The future is not years away, but tomorrow.

As part of the National Committee, I'm proud to say that we have great aspirations and are progressing through our strategy. But, looking ahead, volunteers to help in sub-groups - small networks that feed into the main groups to carry out specific tasks - are vital. Above all, we need to be representative. This isn't just about the various business types you may represent, but the stage you are on your journey and the different cultures and backgrounds that make the jewellery community what it is today. The more coherent, collaborative and committed our industry is, the more longevity professional standards, commercial success and responsible behaviours will have.

Events for your diary

You may have marked your diary with key dates for the year already, and one which is essential for all who are looking to update their knowledge is the NAJ Summit featuring the IRV Valuers' Conference on Saturday, 24th and Sunday, 25th June 2023.

The Conference has been going for more than 30 years and will this year take place at a new venue; the Park Regis, Birmingham. With NAJ Chair Heather Callaway, we have a group identifying and approaching speakers for this event. Again, I invite passionate jewellery professionals to support another successful event this year. I'd like to see new faces supporting events like this, but I'm also delighted to catch up with old colleagues and friends at these events too. The UK valuer community benefits when individual knowledge, skills and experiences work together to support each other, and that's what the Conference is all about.

If you're reading this thinking you'd like to help but need help figuring out how, please do take the jump to contact me and share with me what you have in mind. It may be that you'd like to start with a smaller group carrying out forensic work on jewellery, working together to provide technical support to the NAJ Compliance department or helping shape Professional Reviews and Registrations. 

We are lucky to have so many vital volunteers, and you may have picked up by now; we need more in 2023!

Thank you all for your continued support.

Barry Sullivan

Source: Institute of Registered Valuers