David Shem-Tov, Managing Director, Stubbs & Co.
David Shem-Tov is the forward-thinking visionary behind finished jewellery supplier Stubbs & Co, and he has been a very busy man this year.
The company is well regarded for its fine jewellery supplies and David has added an invigorating touch to its offer by developing Stubbs & Co.’s technology offer. His work has helped the company produce its ConfigureRing app, a tablet program run on devices such as iPads that jewellers can use in store to allow shoppers to virtually modify rings from more than 25,000 different design possibilities and then use the virtual design to order a real version. To date, David says, it’s been a phenomenal success.
“Choosing the cut of a bespoke suit, evaluating the different fabrics and so on is much richer experience than picking a garment off-the-peg,” says David. “The ConfigureRing tool we launched this year enables the consumer to instantly visualise and obtain a quote for a design they like, then add diamonds, change widths, swap the profile or alloy.”
The Hatton Garden-based company also took a leap of faith this year, exhibiting at BaselWorld for the very first time, which David says was both an investment and an eye-opening experience. “Our technology attracted interest from markets we would have never dreamt of approaching if we’d not gone to Basel,” he reveals. “Canada, Finland, Romania – you name it.” Stubbs & Co. has now struck several deals and is geared up for rapid international expansion.
David isn’t one to run from a challenge, even when he is taking time out from his work. As Professional Jeweller found out earlier this year, he’s survived being attacked by a 4m long crocodile in Indonesia while indulging in his favourite hobby diving. Luckily for David, most of his dives are a little calmer. “There is little more exhilarating than witnessing the graceful dance of manta rays in the ocean,” he says.
