Search
Close this search box.

Meet our Head Office Team

Meet the team that works at the Company of Master Jewellers

Meet the team that works at the Company of Master Jewellers, who boast a combination a wealth of experience with a passion for the jewellery industry and our members. We are a small and friendly team who work closely together in our head office in Rugby, Warwickshire. Do get in touch if you have any questions; our members are at the heart of everything we do and we are always happy to help.

Managing Director

Emmet-Cummins-scaled

Emmet Cummins

Managing Director

25 years in a global corporate environment has given me a good footing in how to lead and manage an organisation. This includes 10 years with the Watches of Switzerland Group, leading the business services division.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2020

My perfect piece: I love a Rolex Submariner. I just admire how beautiful it is and love how aspirational Rolex is as a brand.

Fun fact: I’m an Irishman who came to England to qualify as a Forensic Psychologist.

Membership

Patrick Turner

Patrick Turner

Director of Membership Development

I have more than eight years’ experience within the jewellery and watch industry, working as part of Swatch Group and most recently at Thomas Sabo. My prior experience in print and design, project management and retail, amongst other varied roles, I believe, has made me commercially astute and accustomed to building and maintaining professional relationships.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2023

My perfect piece: I’m a big fan of a signet ring, however my personal favourite piece is not mine at all. My wife’s engagement ring, made using a diamond handed down from my great-great-grandmother and mounted in a simple solitaire setting in a platinum ring, holds the greatest sentimental value to me.

Fun fact: In 2021 I competed in a 100km Ultra Marathon across the South Downs – it was meant to be as part of a group of friends but I was the only one to make it to the start line. I followed this up the following spring by competing in three 100km Ultra Marathons in one month for Pancreatic Cancer UK, raising over £3,000 for the charity. My wife has since banned me from competing again.

IMG_0036

Jen Marsden

Market Insights & Digital Development Manager

I started my jewellery journey 14 years ago when I joined The Watches of Switzerland group and never looked back, my most recent role was trainer and auditor. I have JET qualifications, a keen eye for detail and a passion for jewellery. 

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2021

My perfect piece: I couldn’t possibly pick one, every piece I wear has a memory, holds great sentimental value and that is what make jewellery so special.

Fun fact: I love to sing and auditioned for Pop Idol many years ago. I didn’t get through, but I was able to go on to perform as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Jo Bourne new

Jo Bourne

Retail Membership Manager

My passion for jewellery began with designing and creating my own pieces at college whilst working as a part time sales assistant in an independent jewellers. Since then and throughout my career, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience from the ever-changing jewellery and retail industry which will be beneficial in my new role at the Company of Master Jewellers.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2022

My perfect piece: Anything that sparkles, so obviously diamonds. I always think I have the perfect piece of jewellery and then something else catches my eye!

Fun fact: I’m an advanced scuba diver and did a night dive in the Maldives where I fed and stroked nurse sharks, tuna and giant trevally. It was the most amazing experience.

Sequoia Image_

Sequoia Horton

Supplier Membership Manager

I started in the jewellery industry over ten years ago, working part-time for an engagement ring specialist whilst attending university. With six years in retail and five years working for River Mounts in various roles, I’ve learned a range of skills and knowledge from both retailer and supplier perspectives.  

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2023

My perfect piece: My wedding necklace. I was able ro reuse stones from two of my late grandmother’s rings to make something old, something new and something blue. I love that jewellery can be redesigned to suit new tastes but keep its sentimentality.

Fun fact: I LOVE karaoke! I’m not promising to be good… but that’s part of the fun, right?

 

 

Marketing & Events

Fran Hopes

Frances Hopes

Head of Marketing

I’ve worked in the jewellery industry almost constantly since 2004, first joining the trade when I worked as Deputy Editor of Retail Jeweller magazine. I’ve had a varied career and completed a Level 6 CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing in September 2021 (quite a challenge while also in lockdown, working full-time and home-schooling).

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2011–2016, rejoined as Head of Marketing in 2019

My perfect piece: A marcasite and silver necklace that I inherited from my grandma – it is a very sentimental piece and I always get compliments on it. It’s easy to imagine my grandma wearing it back in the 1950s, looking very glamorous. Just goes to show that jewellery trends come full circle!

Fun fact: It’s a fact (but wasn’t much fun!) that in July 2019 I completed a 100km ultra challenge trek in the Peak District, which took 27 long hours, to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital charity.

Sally Ashdown-Phillips_July20

Sally Ashdown-Phillips

Group Events Manager

I spent 20 years working in various admin roles, mainly HR for a multi-national company within the automotive industry, where I gained a great set of skills. After going for a complete career change, I became a prison officer in a Category B male prison. Another u-turn brought me to planning and organising all the events at the Company of Master Jewellers.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2010

My perfect piece: My beautiful diamond engagement ring/wedding ring, from the love of my life and soul mate, I waited a very long time to find him! Diamonds are my birthstone as well as a girl’s best friend – that was my excuse for wanting diamonds!

Fun fact: I once got squashed and trapped in a phone box, when a car crashed into it – not your everyday kind of accident!

Kristina Russell

Kristina Russell

Events Co-ordinator

Previous to my role at the Company of Master Jewellers, I was special events manager for a charity for seven years, involved in events ranging from small dinners across the country to larger awards, open days and even race days. I began my time at the charity as an executive assistant to the CEO and fell into events, which I thoroughly enjoy.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2023

My perfect piece: This has to be my engagement ring because it was bought for me by my now husband as a symbol that he would like to spend the rest of his life with me. I am very lucky to have found my best friend.

Fun fact: I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I have skydived, freefall abseiled down the ArcelorMittal Orbit and standard abseiled down Coventry Cathedral. I recently did a caving experience and the next challenge I would like to do is wing walking.

Finance & Accounts

IMG_5363

Angela Reesby

Operational Accounts Manager

Prior to joining the Company of Master Jewellers team, I worked at Barclays Bank in Rugby followed by a position in the accounts department at a solicitors in Birmingham, both of which provided me with invaluable office/accounts experience. 

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 1995

My perfect piece: I would have to say my engagement ring. It certainly wasn’t the most expensive ring, we were young and didn’t have a lot of money, but it was still just as special and meaningful.

Fun fact: In my free time, I am very happy working or relaxing in the garden and love the opportunity for a day trip to the coast. We are looking forward to travelling and exploring new destinations now our children are older and more independent.

Lorraine Dickens_July20

Lorraine Dickens

Purchase Ledger Controller

I have over 35 years’ experience working in accounts and payroll and hold a “Fellow Member Association of Accounting Technicians” (FMAAT) status.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2014

My perfect piece: My Fitbit, which was bought for me as a present from my children as I am really into my fitness. I love the daily challenges you can set up with friends, to see who can walk the most steps.

Fun fact: I’m a singer and the lead soprano in a community choir, quite often singing a solo part and performing at various venues.

Sharon

Sharon Fletcher

Office Administrator

I have had a variety of roles since joining the Company of Master Jewellers, originally starting in the stock department, combined with becoming Secretary to David Paterson, who was CEO at the time. Events came next in 2010, in the role of Membership Support Administrator. I have been in my current position as Office Administrator since 2014, where my main duties are in the Accounts department.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2004

My perfect piece: I have lots of favourite pieces of jewellery, but one piece that stands out and is very sentimental to me is a 22ct gold charm bracelet that my late grandma left to me. My grandad gave it to her on their wedding day back in the 1930s. The charms on it are so vintage it fascinates me, I always loved it as a little girl when my grandma used to wear it.

Fun fact: I hit the national headlines when I was born, as my surname was Valentine and I was born on 14 February (Valentine’s Day).

image001

Amanda Cheneler

Accounts Assistant

After spending 20 years in logistics and transport in various roles including planning and operations, I moved over to accounts in 2011 as an assistant to the commercial accountant for a large haulage company. It was there I had my first taste of accounting and completed my Level 1 Accounts & Bookkeeping qualification. This is my first role outside transport and look forward to expanding my knowledge of the jewellery industry.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2022

My perfect piece: My Tiffany & Co. necklace that my boyfriend (now husband) bought for me on a trip to New York. I had seen it online but wanted to find it in the New York store. After hunting every cabinet, I finally found it and he surprised me by buying it for me.

Fun fact: In my younger years I used to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I have bungee jumped (in a pub car park), abseiled down the side of Leicester Royal Infirmary, skydived in Byron Bay, Australia and snorkelled with manta rays in Fiji. These days though, I like a nice cup of tea and a movie.

Office Support

Mark

Mark Howell

Support Centre Manager

I previously worked for IT companies in a number of areas such as accounts, account management, operations, contracts and customer service, ultimately heading up a Midlands regional branch. I joined the Company of Master Jewellers on a temporary contract in 2010 but have been here ever since and have been in my current role since 2015.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2010

My perfect piece: A gold/silver Longines watch that my wife bought me for a “special” birthday.

Fun fact: I’ve previously done a couple of 24-hour karting races.

CMJtaken by Lauren

Karen Cobley

Executive Assistant

Before joining the Company of Master Jewellers I spent several years in PA Board level roles at a global blue chip company, followed by four years at a not-for-profit organisation as Executive Assistant to the CEO and Chairman. To enhance my skills, I am now shadowing a colleague to acquire knowledge and experience of Company Secretary duties.

Year I joined the Company of Master Jewellers: 2011

My perfect piece: My late mum’s engagement ring because as well as being beautiful it holds great sentimental value.

Fun fact: My favourite place is the beach and one day I hope to live somewhere by the Mediterranean.

CMJ Board

Have you met our Board of Directors? Click below to see our democratically elected board of independent retailers.

Get in touch

If you would like get in touch with the Company of Master Jewellers, please complete the form opposite and one of our team will be in touch.

We’d like to keep you informed on any changes to the services we deliver, as well as the latest developments in the retail jewellery market. To receive regular and relevant information from the Company of Master Jewellers, please submit your details using the form above.

Submitting your information to receive these updates means you agree to our policies on cookies, internet privacy and data protection. You can of course opt out at any time.