Jewellery Focus June 2017 | Página 16

3 Minute Interview With Adam Phillips , account manager at Goldsmiths ’ Company Assay Office
Does the drop in global gold demand worry you ?
MONTH IN REVIEW www . jewelleryfocus . co . uk

3 Minute Interview With Adam Phillips , account manager at Goldsmiths ’ Company Assay Office

Describe yourself in 3 words Knowledgeable , inventive and pragmatic
When you were at school , what did you want to be any why ? An architect , because it incorporated a science and art combination but I craved more from the practical side . Thankfully , my career has enabled me to do that in a completely different field .
How did you get to be where you are today ? My willingness to learn varying roles - I started here when I was 17 as the trolley boy . I moved to the sampling and marketing floors and became a hand marker . [ Then ] I was running the logistics team . Through all those different areas I ’ m able to apply my wealth of experience back to the customers .
Which aspects of your job do you enjoy and why ? Problem solving , it ’ s one of the most challenging parts of my role ; I want to make sure we get our customers the best service .
What is your proudest achievement ? My longevity , I ’ m proud to be here 20 years , still going strong and passionate .
What is the best advice you ' ve been given in work or in life in general ? Control the things that are within your power and not to stress over the things that you have no control over .
What is your next goal ? Make sure the person who ’ s buying jewellery and silverware knows that our leopard brand has been providing them with quality assurance for over 700 years . People become a bit complacent and don ’ t look for it .

Talking Point

WANT YOUR SAY ?
Email Shekina to find out our latest hot topic : s . tuahene @ mulberrypublications . co . uk

Does the drop in global gold demand worry you ?

KERRY GREGORY
Est 1897 UK
RUTH TOMLINSON
Ruth Tomlinson London
ALISTAIR ZELLEY
Zelley Jewellers Norwich
SUSANNAH LOVIS
Susannah Lovis London
It doesn ’ t worry me , trends in gold always fluctuate . It ’ s more important to analyse the trends and reasons for them , and look at what you can do to protect or increase your business . Whilst overall demand in gold is down , some areas have grown , coins and investment bars for instance . In UK jewellery , gold Hallmarking figures are down again in the first quarter of this year , but 14ct gold marking has grown . It ’ s important to look at how you can capitalise on those areas of growth as well as what your business can offer the consumer .
There are constantly ebbs and flows in the gold market that we can ’ t control , so the current dip in demand is not of huge concern to us . We like to think it ’ s what we do with our gold , creating unique contemporary designs with an enduring appeal that keeps interest in and demand for our brand steady . Gold is a timeless commodity and there will always be a market for it , it ’ s a matter of maintaining an innovative approach and seeking out these markets .
No not really . I appreciate how it must worry the high street and the likes of chain makers but for us if gold sales go down we can concentrate our efforts elsewhere . Like everything it will most likely all come back right again and luckily for us we do not have to meet monthly targets to pay building rent and so forth . We offer a rather eclectic service and gold is by no means our main source of income .
Over the last few years the global demand for gold has dropped in terms of the Central Bank demand ; however , this is not consistent with our sales figures as gold jewellery has become increasingly desirable and highly fashionable again , especially rose coloured gold . Our business concentrates on the second hand sector and as ethical concerns become more important to consumers the demand for vintage items and upcycling gold continues to contradict this decline .
16 JEWELLERY FOCUS
June 2017 | jewelleryfocus . co . uk