CIBJO appoints veteran jewellery industry chief executives to key positions

CIBJO appointed three veteran jewellery industry chief executives to key positions in the organisation's Sector B, which covers areas of the jewellery business related to distribution, including retailing, and, and Sector C, which covers jewellery manufacturing, technology and precious metals.

Willie Hamilton, Chief Executive of the Company of Master Jewellers (CMJ) in the United Kingdom, was appointed Executive Vice President of CIBJO's Sector B. Simon Rainer, Chief Executive of the British Jewellers' Association (BJA), who already was serving as a Sector C Vice President, was appointed as Executive Vice President of CIBJO's Sector C. Michael Rawlinson, Chief Executive of the National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) in the United Kingdom, was appointed as the third Vice President of CIBJO's Sector B.

The position of a Sector Executive Vice President at CIBJO is a new role involving functioning as the chief executive of the division within the World Jewellery Confederation.

"Our objective in making these appointments is to inject new momentum and proven ability into these sectors, in order to increase their range of activities and improve the level of service that we provide the industry," said Gaetano Cavalieri, CIBJO President. "All three men are experienced industry association managers, and possess the knowledge and ability necessary to initiate and sustain change in a representative body like CIBJO. Furthermore, the dialogue that they engage in and their close working relationship will enhance the sectors' ability to address issues of common concern."

Willie Hamilton, has led the CMJ, the United Kingdom's largest buying group and co-operative of independent retail jewellers, for five years, and has also previously worked in senior positions in marketing, buying, merchandising and operations within the world's largest consumer co-operative, the Co-operative Group.

Simon Rainer, has been involved the UK and international jewellery industries for 17 years. He has played the role of Chief Executive of the 1,100-member BJA, and is a member of the British Standards STI/053 (Jewellery and Horology) Committee and sits on the advisory boards of the National Skills Academy, the Jewellery Industry and Innovation Centre and the IJL trade show. Simon also serves as President of CIBJO's Association Executive Networking Commission (CAENCOM).

Michael Rawlinson, joined as Chief Executive of NAG in April of this year. NAG represents 860 retail members with 2,277 retail stores in the United Kingdom. He also served as Director General of UKIE, the interactive entertainment association in the United Kingdom. He is veteran retail and consumer goods industry executive, with experience of working together with government at the British and European Community levels, as well as with the media.