This year’s British Jewellers’ Association’s Annual General Meeting held in the impressive setting of the Museum of London marked a significant day for the UK jewellery industry with the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between the BJA and National Association of Goldsmiths.

Opening the meeting with an impassioned presentation calling for greater industry collaboration, BJA CEO Simon Rainer stressed the benefits that would accrue through strategic unity. “Here is the vision– a united industry pulling in the same direction, speaking with the same voice and creating even greater consumer confidence in the purchase of jewellery” he stated.

For the last 15 months the BJA and NAG have held discussions on how they can work together to realise such objectives. This has now resulted in the signing and exchange of an MOU which sets out a programme of work to prepare for the formation of a new national jewellery trade association. Subject to the final approval of both the existing associations, this will be formed in early 2015.  “Whist we have established the guiding principles, there is much exciting work ahead for both organizations to bring this initiative to fruition” said Pravin Pattni NAG Chairman.

“I am so delighted that in my two year tenure as BJA Chairman we are close to concluding this great venture which will be a significant benefit to the whole UK jewellery industry, added Gary Williams BJA Deputy Chairman. Assay office Birmingham welcomes the move towards a more unified industry and will do everything it can to support the new joint venture. For further information, please contact: Simon Rainer 0121 237 1111 simon.rainer@bja.org.uk Michael Rawlinson 020 7613 4445 michaelr@jewellers-online.org For more photos of the day, please contact: Lindsey Straughton 0121 237 1112 lindsey.straughton@bja.org.uk

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