NAJ Summit Ends on a High as New Chair Heather Callaway Takes the Helm

The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) closed the doors on its second annual NAJ Summit, which welcomed guests from across the UK and further afield for four days of education, practical workshops, business development and networking opportunities.

The final day of the Summit, dedicated to the JET Business Network’s annual Retail Jewellers’ Congress, took place on Monday, 13 June and signaled the end of a successful and well-attended programme of events. 

The Summit also gave new NAJ Chair, Heather Callaway, the chance to speak directly to more than 200 members and celebrate the winners of the NAJ Awards 2022. She will be supported in her duties by 

NAJ Vice-Chair, Adam Jacobs of Jacobs the Jewellers in Reading.

NAJ Chair, Heather Callaway, said:

“The way people buy jewellery is evolving, and, in the trade, we need to understand and engage all potential customers, whatever their preferred buying channel. It’s going to be up to NAJ members and the wider trade to understand, react, train, and adapt to all the challenges the future throws at us. The NAJ Summit plays a role in creating this business resilience, fostering new ideas, challenging perceptions and, most importantly, building camaraderie that enhances our shared benchmarks of professional excellence.”

“I do want to thank friend and colleague David Doyle, NAJ President, for continuing to drive the Summit forward from its early planning stages in 2019, to its first outing in September last year, and now this latest edition that concluded on Monday.”

Principal Officer, Ben Massey, added:

“There was a real buzz throughout this year’s Summit, and it was reassuring to see, hear and feel the positivity returning amongst the trade. We have created an event that is greater than the sum of its parts, allowing for conversation and networking across pockets of our industry that might not normally mix. We expected the good numbers of retailers, suppliers and valuers to attend, but we were also excited by the number of designers and craft representatives that also enjoyed the programme.”

“I do want to thank attendees, sponsors and supporters for making the NAJ Summit such a positive experience for all. IT was great for team NAJ to meet so many members, and we’ll be listening to the feedback and review appropriately ahead of our plans for 2023 and beyond.”

Feedback from the trade has been overwhelmingly positive about the summit event:

“It was my first time attending the NAJ summit and hopefully not the last! It was an incredible weekend of learning, refreshing, and networking, and the knowledge and connections I’ve gained have been invaluable. Thank you, NAJ!”
Victoria Burchett, Sales Executive, Gold Arts Sussex Ltd.

“Artisan exhibited at the NAJ 2022 Summit to officially launch the business. With this being the first exposure for Artisan at any trade event, we were both excited and nervous. However, it soon turned out we should have just been excited! The organisation was second to none and the quality of the visitors was amazing. The feedback from everyone we introduced Artisan and our many services to was only ever positive and we are already planning on how we can make 2023 even better,”
Pete Carmichael GIA AJP, Retail Development Manager, Artisan.

“This Summit was extremely well organised with speakers who are so passionate to share their knowledge and expertise. I don’t believe one class finished on time due to the excitement and buzz in the room,”
Wayne Meeten MA FIPG, Designer Goldsmith and Silversmith.

“We have missed being at live events and this was the perfect occasion to meet clients and network with new contacts. It was a more intimate environment than a large exhibition and this gave everyone present the opportunity to get to know each other. The NAJ team was very accommodating and on top of everything. Their teamwork was impeccable!”
Pooja Sahny, Director, Sierra Consultancy.

Across both the Valuers’ Conference Dinner and the Members’ Gala Dinner on the Saturday and Sunday evenings of the NAJ Summit, respectively, guests raised nearly £4,000 for the Education Trust and the Benevolent Society charities.

The NAJ Summit will return in the summer of 2023 with dates and venue details to be announced in due course.