Industry insights from RJ Festival 2025
14 Feb 2025
A stellar line-up of leading industry names join the Retail Jeweller Festival’s content schedule this year. Here’s what you can expect.
Day One
Thursday 13 March
11am–11.40am
Trendwatch: Jewellery in the age of AI
Speaker: Kathryn Bishop, researcher and editor
In this accessible session, trends and luxury specialist Kathryn Bishop introduces the emerging use cases for artificial intelligence (AI) in the jewellery sector. Discover how AI is transforming design and product development, its potential in the gem industry, and how AI will elevate customer service and transform retail experiences. Bishop will share exciting global case studies and brands to watch in this engaging and highly visual session.
Kathryn Bishop
Kathryn Bishop is a researcher and editor specialising in consumer insights, trend forecasting and strategic foresight. She has worked with organisations such as The Future Laboratory, Adorn Insight and Space 10 (Ikea’s external R&D lab), tracking new directions in retail, luxury goods and sustainability. Her background is in jewellery, with 20 years of experience across retail, marketing, brand consultancy and B2B jewellery media. She continues her work in the sector voluntarily, as a trustee of the Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Council, and as a freeman of the Company of Goldsmiths, where she is a member of its communications and marketing committee.
11.50am–12.30pm
State of the ‘jewellery’ nation: Perspectives from retailers on the biggest challenges and opportunities in 2025 (in association with the JET Business Network)
Moderator: Michael Donaldson, facilitator, the JET Business Network
Panellists: Jackie Benson, jeweller and owner, Chapter 79; Harriet France, director, Jeremy France Jewellers; Jonathan Hughes-Lewis, director, Jonathan David Jewellers; Peter Wong, managing director, Wongs Jewellers
This session will acknowledge the global macro situation, while focusing on challenges and opportunities closer to home that could affect the jewellery sector and high street retail. The panel consists of Jet Business Network members, a community of independent retail jewellers from around the UK, who will be sharing their perspectives on what they see as their biggest challenges and opportunities, and where they will be concentrating their efforts and budgets this year. Topics covered will include AI, stock management, store costs and investment, consumer confusion and confidence, and digital and human engagement.
Michael Donaldson
Michael Donaldson founded The Value Innovator consultancy after 30 years of adding value to British-, French- and American-owned multinational companies, from bars of soap at Procter & Gamble to bars of gold at the Cookson Group. In the past 10 years, he has supported UK SME businesses with his transformational experience and expertise, specifically in the areas of leadership, strategy and growth.
His personal belief that “business doesn’t have to be complicated” has seen him add value to businesses and their people through mentoring, team facilitation and workshops. He says the challenges of both large and small organisations tend to be the same, with just a few more or less noughts attached: how to improve people performance, product profitability and process productivity.
Jackie Benson
Jackie Benson has worked in the jewellery industry since 1995, having studied goldsmithing at the Kent Institute of Art and Design. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience, working for a large jewellery manufacturing company and a bullion dealer, and eventually opening her own store and workshop in 2006. Alongside her husband, who serves as her business partner, she has successfully built Chapter 79 into a thriving jewellery business in Hertford.
Harriet France
Harriet France has been working in Jeremy France Jewellers for more than 20 years and became the managing director in 2018 when her father retired. She understands that for her business to thrive, her team and her local community must thrive also. She sits on the board of directors for Winchester's Business Improvement District (BID) and is a passionate voice promoting local businesses within the city. She also invests in her team, encouraging constant self-improvement and learning throughout all departments.
Jonathan Hughes-Lewis
Jonathan Hughes-Lewis is the director of Jonathan David Jewellers, a well established, family-run business located in Cardiff. Founded in 1981 by his parents, and named after him, the store has become a trusted name in the jewellery industry. His journey in the trade began at a young age, fuelled by a passion for craftsmanship and excellence. After graduating from university, he officially joined the family business, dedicating himself to its growth and success. In 2018, he assumed full control of Jonathan David Jewellers, continuing its legacy while steering it toward modern innovation and customer-focused service.
Peter Wong
Peter Wong is the owner of Wong’s Jewellers in Liverpool, a well respected, family-run jewellery business known for its high quality craftsmanship and bespoke services. He honed his skills through years of training as a goldsmith from the age of 16. Under his leadership, Wong’s Jewellers has gained a loyal customer base, and is praised for its exceptional craftsmanship and customer service. The business specialises in custom-designed jewellery and offers clients a personalised experience from start to finish.
2.15pm–2.50pm
Go big or go home: Investing in the high street (in association with the Houlden Group)
Moderator: Sarah Jordan, founder and director, The William Agency
Panellists: Charlotte McCrossin, managing director, Gatwards of Hitchin + 2 MORE TBC
A panel of independent retailers from the Houlden Group will talk about the big investments they made in 2024 and why now is the right time to make big moves to future-proof the high street and elevate the luxury shopping experience.
Sarah Jordan
Sarah Jordan is a professional journalist, editor, copywriter and marketing specialist with over a decade of experience in the UK and international jewellery industries. She is the founder of The William Agency, a Birmingham-based marketing and communications company, which works with independent retailers, brands and B2B suppliers to enhance their presence, grow brand awareness and revitalise their marketing activities. Throughout her career, she has edited four magazines, served as editorial director of a digital title, and worked for British and European trade events to bolster their media presences. In 2024, she was named ‘Unsung Hero of the Year’ at the National Association of Jewellers Awards.
3pm–3.45pm
Do customers care? Managing consumer expectations around sustainability, ethics and responsible sourcing in the internet age
Moderator: May Garland, deputy editor, Retail Jeweller
Panellists: Charlie Betts, managing director, the Betts Group; Edward Johnson, corporate responsibility director, Gemfields; Amy Nelson-Bennett, chief executive, Positive Luxury; Katie Richards, head of sustainability, Monica Vinader
Recycled gold, laboratory-grown diamonds, Single Mine Origin gold, ethical sourcing, traceable supply chains… Do customers have an understanding of these concepts and how much do they really engage at the retail level? Retail Jeweller speaks to experts about navigating consumer expectations when so much information – both accurate and inaccurate – is accessible with the click of a mouse.
May Garland
Retail Jeweller’s own deputy editor, May Garland, has been a key contributor to the 100-year-old publication for three years. She oversees the magazine’s digital presence, manages social media output and writes insightful features for its monthly print editions. She is a strong advocate for sustainability in the jewellery trade and has previously moderated two panel discussions on ethics and sustainability at the Retail Jeweller Festival.
Charlie Betts
As managing director, Charlie Betts represents the ninth generation of the Betts family to run the Betts Group – a 265-year-old British business focused on refining precious metals and manufacturing jewellery and investment products. Betts co-founded Single Mine Origin in 2017 in reaction to increasing consumer engagement with responsible sourcing, as well as the challenges faced by jewellers in reliably and cost effectively purchasing products with detailed provenance. He has been involved in multiple projects focused on traceability and sustainability within precious metals, including creating AgAIN silver in 2022 (recycled from medical X rays) with the aim of providing traceable, responsibly sourced metals to market at scale.
Edward Johnson
Edward Johnson’s career has focused on knowledge, ethics and integrity within the gem and jewellery industry, with an overarching drive to protect consumer confidence through responsible business practices. His role as corporate responsibility director sees him lead Gemfields’ work in creating a positive impact within the communities around its mines and driving improvements across the coloured gemstone and jewellery sector as a whole.
Since entering the industry in 1993, Edward has held senior executive positions with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) in London. Prior to joining Gemfields, he ran his own consultancy, delivering projects to advance responsible business practices and address ESG issues in the jewellery supply chain.
Amy Nelson-Bennett
Amy Nelson-Bennett is chief executive of Positive Luxury, a leading sustainability expert for the global luxury industry. She has 25 years of global experience across business turnaround and transformation, brand and commercial strategy, digital commerce and communications, and sustainability best practice gained across media, retail, and luxury goods. She has overall responsibility for the strategic direction of Positive Luxury. By championing a new definition of luxury that aligns the core principle of luxury and sustainability, she aims to accelerate the actions of the luxury industry and the collective positive impact it can make on nature and people.
Katie Richards
Katie Richards is a sustainability leader with a passion for driving positive change. She spent 10 years championing sustainability in the food industry, working on everything from sustainable agriculture and supply chain engagement to B Corp certification and sustainability engagement. Now, as head of sustainability at Monica Vinader, she is helping the business to inspire others in the industry on what it means to be a responsible luxury brand. She’s all about sharing ideas, sparking conversations and inspiring others to make sustainability part of their day-to-day.
Day Two
Friday 14 March
10am–10.35am
Sparkling conversations: Promoting natural diamonds to customers on the shop floor
Moderator: David Brough, jewellery journalist
Panellists: Jody Cory, director, Jody Cory Goldsmiths; Lisa Levinson, head of UK, the Natural Diamond Council; Jayant Raniga, chief executive, Pure Jewels + NIVODA
With big organisations like the Natural Diamond Council, De Beers and the London Diamond Bourse beseeching the trade to be more proactive when promoting natural diamonds, now’s the time to level up your storytelling tactics and draw prospective clients away from other luxury categories vying for their spend. A panel of natural diamond experts and retailers share their top ideas, give advice on fielding difficult questions, and offer support on banishing consumer misconceptions.
David Brough
David Brough is co-founder and editor of digital trade magazine Jewellery Outlook and reports on trade events around the world. In 2020, he received a Thai government award for his support of Thailand's gem and jewellery industry. He was a Reuters correspondent and editor for three decades and, while based in Rome, won the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s A.H. Boerma award 2002/2003 for his reporting on hunger issues. He has an MA in economics and French from the University of St Andrews and speaks five languages.
Jody Cory
Jody Cory has been making jewellery for nearly 40 years. She completed a goldsmithing course in 1990, which included jewellery design, gemmology and retail skills as part of her training. In 2001, she opened her first shop in Bath, complete with an in-house workshop to design and make bespoke jewellery. Jody Cory Goldsmiths now operates a busy workshop that overlooks the stunning Bath Abbey, enticing customers from around the globe who make purchases and commission special pieces to commemorate their time in the city. In 2008, Jody completed a diamond grading course in Antwerp, fuelling her life-long passion for diamonds and coloured gemstones.
Lisa Levinson
Lisa Levinson is head of UK at the Natural Diamond Council, an organisation that creates high-traffic marketing platforms to engage consumers with the many inspiring narratives surrounding natural diamonds, the industry that enhances them, and the communities that depend upon them. Prior to joining the Natural Diamond Council, she worked for De Beers Group in Botswana and UK, the Canadian diamond-cutting company HRA Group, and in the management consultancy sector in Sweden. She was born and raised in Sweden and holds a MSc in business and economics from Stockholm School of Economics and a MCom in financial management from the University of Cape Town.
Jayant Raniga
Jayant Raniga, born and educated in London, England has always had a passion for the jewellery industry and strong academic interests in the field of precious metals, gems, and luxury branding. He has strong links with the Indian gem and jewellery industry and wants to build stronger bilateral trading links between the two countries. Today, Raniga is the third generation of his family’s jewellery business after a successful career in the corporate banking world. Jayant is responsible for the omnichannel growth of his company PureJewels, which was originally established in 1950 in Nairobi, Kenya by his grandfather Bhanji Gokaldas and in London since 1975. PureJewels’ many collaborations with designers have been recognised with numerous design and business awards over the years.
10.45am–11.30am
Money talks: Building brands and developing marketing strategies in a financially conscious way in challenging economic times (in association with The Jewellery Collective)
Moderator: Kassandra Lauren Gordon, founder, The Jewellery Collective
Panellists: Fay Cannings, founder, Seekd; Ruby Jack, founder, Ruby Jack; Luke Pearce, founder, Radical Tea Towel and Eirios
Returning to the Retail Jeweller Festival following a popular session at last year's event, The Jewellery Collective will discuss the challenges surrounding funding for emerging and established jewellery businesses and the challenges associated with growing and marketing a brand in tight economic conditions. What cost-effective strategies can be implemented to encourage growth without risking financial hardship? Join The Jewellery Collective's panel of expert speakers to find out more.
Kassandra Lauren Gordon
Kassandra Lauren Gordon is a London-based award-winning fine jeweller, who through a journey of self-discovery found inspiration to channel the experience, texture and voice of herself and her community into her craft. She is the founder and creative director of Kassandra Gordon Jewellery, which pushes the boundaries of fine jewellery, inspired by visual culture, and migrant and cultural storytelling. She is the first Jeweller in residence at Kensington Palace, and has been featured in Vogue, the Financial Times and Oprah.
Fay Cannings
Fay Cannings is founder of seekd.co.uk, a marketplace for jewellery designer-makers (with an eco-friendly approach), alongsidea 20 year career in urban regeneration and place-making in the public and private sector. She has grown Seekd through a partnership approach both online and through delivering targeted pop-ups and events across London in destination areas, along with industry collaborations with the jewellery sector and larger retail brands. She is passionate about the intersection between independent retail, building community and creating unique experiences and destinations. Alongside Seekd, she is a senior inward investment and regeneration manager in local government.
Ruby Jack
Ruby Jack created her eponymous jewellery brand in 2018, which she runs with her partner, Chris Jack. The business employs a small UK-based team and does most of the making in-house, only outsourcing to UK-based tradespeople for its casting and gold plating. Previously a musician, she is a designer, stylist and singer, with firm roots in music and the visual arts.
Luke Pearce
Luke Pearce is the co-founder of ecommerce brands Radical Tea Towel and Town Towels, along with Wales-based fulfilment company Eirios. His brands have grown using a combination of UK-based manufacture, social media marketing and ethical business practices. He is also an angel investor and second degree black belt in aikido.
1.30pm–2pm
Build and retain your teams: Jewellery industry talent recruitment and retention for the year ahead
Speaker: Angie Sadler, chief people officer, Factotum
Are you struggling to find the right people to support and grow your business? As we look ahead to the rest of 2025, discover essential advice for hiring and retaining the best people for your business, including tips on adopting the best recruitment cycle, how to spot the early signs of the wrong hire (and what to do about it), and what you can do to retain your talent.
Angie Sadler
Angie Sadler is the chief people officer at Factotum, an outsourcing business providing team, finance, marketing and IT services. She is also responsible for business development of its People division. She was previously a practising lawyer for almost 20 years, and a qualified mediator, and has spent 15 years working with and building teams in both start-ups and scale-ups, meaning she has extensive knowledge of common issues over a wide range of industries.
*Content programme correct at the time of going to press*
View RJ Festival 2025
Source: RJ Festival