The Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) has appointed a new Managing Director, Emmet Cummins, who will join the UK and Ireland’s largest buying group on 20 April 2020.

Emmet is an experienced business leader with a proven track record of successfully devising and delivering business strategies. He joins the CMJ from The Watches of Switzerland Group, where he has worked for almost 10 years, most recently as Group Head of Business Services. Within this role Emmet was responsible for the leadership of retail service areas including insurance valuation and replacement, product repairs and services for some of the UK’s leading General Insurance providers. He was also responsible for establishing additional routes to market via partnerships with key B2B affiliates.

He has previously worked in management positions at Vodafone Global Enterprise and Molson Coors Brewing.

On his appointment as Managing Director of the CMJ, Emmet said: “I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to join the CMJ team, particularly at this unprecedented time when the membership of the CMJ requires as much advice and guidance as possible. I am determined to work with the Board and the leadership team to ensure we give as much support as we can to each member through this challenging period so that their respective businesses and teams are best equipped to navigate this time of uncertainty. Having been in the industry for nearly 10 years, I have always admired what the independent jewellery market has to offer. I firmly believe it deserves its place on the high street and once we’ve cleared the current climate, it will be my objective to continue to focus on enabling the membership to successfully develop and grow their businesses.”

Michael Aldridge, Chairman of the CMJ, added: “The jewellery industry is going through unprecedented challenges as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. We are confident that Emmet is the right person to lead the group through these times of uncertainty by offering vital support to all of our members. CMJ members should not feel alone in this.”