Luxury jewellery consortium, the Houlden Group, has announced the appointment of Lizzie McAuley as the latest director to join the board. As a director of Bedford-based Baker Brothers Diamonds, Houlden says McAuley’s rich heritage and wealth of knowledge in the diamond trade makes her an invaluable asset to the Board. After a varied career in…
Stuart Laing awarded OBE in Queen’s Honours List
Stuart Laing, executive chairman of Laings and founder of the Houlden Group, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Honours List for his services to the UK jewellery industry. His brother Michael Laing was previously awarded an OBE for services to hallmarking in 2002. Mr Laing, who handed over daily control of Laings to…
Houlden Group claims exclusive position as IJL Diamond Club sponsor
UK and Ireland jewellery and watch buying organisation Houlden Group has announced it is sponsoring IJL’s prestigious Diamond Club this year in partnership with pearl jewellery supplier Yoko London. Houlden will be sponsoring the Diamond Club and supporting IJL as a complement to its strategies to provide members with opportunities to network and connect with…
Houlden unveils Diamond by Appointment competition winner
Jewellery buying group Houlden has unveiled the winner of its Jewellers of Excellence campaign competition in conjunction with wedding ring manufacturer Diamond by Appointment. As part of building the consumer-facing Jewellers of Excellence campaign, the Houlden Group collaborated with Diamond by Appointment to run a social media-driven competition through the Jewellers of Excellence’s Facebook page.…
Houlden Jewellers founder brings retirement date forward
Houlden Jewellers has officially announced that the founding director of the group, Stuart Laing, will be bringing forward his retirement date. Laing was due to retire in June 2017, however, in light of his recent health scare, it has been agreed with the board of directors that he will now step down July 1 2016.…
Andrew Geoghegan unveils Cannelé des Cévennes engagement ring
Designer fine jewellery brand Andrew Geoghegan has unveiled its latest engagement ring offering at Houlden’s summer getaway event. The new Cannelé des Cévennes engagement ring takes inspiration from the Cévennes mountains of southern France. The deep surround of petite diamonds and a dramatic centre stone capture and reflect back every movemeny of light, echoing the…
Antwerp Diamonds joins Houlden Group
Diamond jewellery Antwerp Diamonds has accepted the invitation to become a preferred supplier to the Houlden buying group. Antwerp Diamonds will be attending Houlden’s first buying meeting of the year set to take place in London on February 24. A third generation company, Antwerp Diamonds offers an extensive range of fine diamond jewellery crafted in…
OPINION: Helen Haddow on her new role as Houlden Jewellers CEO
As of January 1 2016, Helen Haddow began her new role as the chief executive officer of Houlden Jewellers. Here, Haddow shares her history in the company and vision for the future. In Haddow’s words… 2016 is an exciting year for us. It’s the year where we celebrate our 40th Anniversary and where I begin…
HOT 100 2015 BUSINESS BIG SHOTS: Stuart Laing
There’s something bittersweet about Stuart Laing’s two greatest achievements over the last 12 months; the first focuses on the future of the Houlden Group and its Jewellers of Excellence consumer-facing brand, while the second centres on his unfolding retirement plans. Stuart founded Houlden in 1975 and the organisation has been going from strength-to-strength ever since,…
Houlden Group cracks down on ‘grey market’ traders in letter to members
Outgoing Houlden Group CEO, Stuart Laing, has outlined the organisation’s attitude to the ‘grey market’ of Swiss watch brands and the retailers and suppliers who support it. In a letter sent to members, Laing comments: “As you can see we are doing what we can to protect the positioning of the watch brands, and their…
