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 (CMJ), a team that boasts 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

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 CMJ: 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

I grew up in the jewellery trade with my father having his own jewellery retailing business. He was also a member of the CMJ, so I first experienced a CMJ Trade Event at the age of about 15! I went on to work for IBB and then Brown & Newirth so having this experience from both a retailer and supplier perspective really helps me in my role with the CMJ.

Year I joined the CMJ: 2019

My perfect piece: I actually have two! A pendant my husband had made for me on our 10th wedding anniversary and a beautiful ring he got me for a “big” birthday which puts a smile on my face every time I look at it.

Fun fact: I travelled around the world for over a year and whilst doing so climbed Ayers Rock, scuba dived on the Great Barrier Reef and did a sky dive in New Zealand.

One of my first roles was working for a family-run events business. After this, I got a job at a small family-run maintenance company where I worked in account management and finance for eight years. Then I saw the job advertised at the CMJ and it was perfect as I love organising events, looking after customers, talking to people and I love jewellery.

Year I joined the CMJ: 2014

My perfect piece: My gold and sapphire panther ring which I got for my 15th birthday off my mum and stepfather. It is very sentimental to me and I see it as my protection and good luck charm.

Fun fact: In 2015, after a couple of drinks, booked a month’s holiday around Thailand. It was the best thing I ever did! I love spicy food and I’m absolutely terrified of sharks.

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. I am excited for a new journey with the CMJ.

Year I joined CMJ: 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.

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 CMJ.

Year I joined CMJ: 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.

Marketing & Events

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 CMJ: 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.

Since graduating university, I have worked in marketing in the B2B sector, previously in the hair and beauty industry and now loving being part of the jewellery industry. I take a particular interest in digital marketing and love a good spreadsheet!

Year I joined the CMJ: 2019

My perfect piece: My Nomination bracelet. The charms represent all of my milestones in life and so it means a lot to me.

Fun fact: Between 2016 and 2019 I worked and travelled overseas in New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and Europe.

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 here at the CMJ.

Year I joined CMJ: 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!

Finance & Accounts

Prior to joining the CMJ 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. The vast majority of my working years have been with the CMJ.

Year I joined the CMJ: 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.

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 CMJ: 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.

I have had a variety of roles since joining the CMJ, 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 CMJ: 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).

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 CMJ: 2022

My perfect piece: My Tiffany & Co necklace that my boyfriend (now husband) bought 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

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 CMJ 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 CMJ: 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.

Before joining the CMJ 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 CMJ: 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 in the Mediterranean.

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 CMJ, please submit your details using the form above.

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Meet our head office team

Meet the team that works at the Company of Master Jewellers

Managing Director

Emmet Cummins

Membership

Amber Saunders

Sam Osborn

Jen Marsden

Jo Bourne

Marketing & Events

Frances Hopes

Lauren Scattergood

Sally Ashdown-Phillips

Finance & Accounts

Angela Reesby

Lorraine Dickens

Sharon Fletcher

Amanda Cheneler

Office Support

Mark Howell

Karen Cobley

Get in touch

We are individually strong.
Together we thrive.

Meet our head office team

Meet the team that works at the Company of Master Jewellers

Managing Director

Emmet Cummins

Membership

Amber Saunders

Sam Osborn

Jen Marsden

Jo Bourne

Marketing & Events

Frances Hopes

Lauren Scattergood

Sally Ashdown-Phillips

Finance & Accounts

Angela Reesby

Lorraine Dickens

Sharon Fletcher

Amanda Cheneler

Office Support

Mark Howell

Karen Cobley

Get in touch

We are individually strong. Together we thrive.

We are individually strong.
Together we thrive.