After 20 months at the helm of the CMJ, CEO Terry Boot is stepping down and returning to a career path dedicated to financial operations. In addition, Lucy Reece-Raybould, the executive director of business development and marketing, will be leaving both the CMJ and the jewellery industry on 17th May 2019.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank both Terry and Lucy for all their hard work.

Our Chairman Michael Aldridge praised Terry’s positive impact on the business in the jewellery press earlier this month: “Terry has been instrumental in restructuring and reorganising the CMJ and leaves the business in an extremely strong financial position with a solid foundation to move into the future.”

Michael also praised Lucy’s invaluable contribution to the company: “Lucy has played a key role in helping CMJ to establish itself as the leading buying group for independent jewellery and watch retailers in the UK, and she leaves with the blessings of the Board.”

Never ones to rest on our laurels, we are immediately seeking replacements for Terry and Lucy. In the meantime, we’re excited to share the news that industry expert Helen Dimmick will be joining on a consultancy role from the 23rd of April. We are confident that with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, and having worked successfully with us in the past, Helen is the right choice to ensure a smooth handover.

The CMJ will use this change in personnel as an opportunity to review the structure of the organisation, in order to optimise and maximise opportunities for growth and development.

Launch of the Growth and Learning Network

A major part of our plans involves the launch of the Growth and Learning Network. This is a new series of events designed for members and suppliers across the UK to enable knowledge sharing and the opportunity to meet with like-minded peers.

Each event has its own theme and will feature opportunities for members and suppliers to learn from different industries, and other regions of the UK.

Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow staged the launch event on March 20^th; where CMJ members connected with other key industry players while sampling whisky and chocolate and learning about the dockside history and the birth of the whisky industry.

For further information, and to sign up for one of our events, visit here.