Heather Callaway announced as the New Vice Chair of the National Association of Jewellers
19 Oct 2020
Heather Callaway was yesterday named as the new Vice Chair of the National Association of Jewellers, at the inaugural Virtual Valuers’ Conference.
Heather Callaway, a certified gemmologist, and Fellow of the Institute of Registered Valuers (IRV) is the new Vice Chair of the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), and will initially serve an 18 month term, up until the 2022 AGM.
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Based in Staffordshire, Heather is an independent Valuer delivering valuation services through her company Heather Callaway Ltd, and also works with some of the country’s leading jewellers and Auction houses including House of Garrard, Wongs and Richard Winterton Auctioneers.
On being named the Vice Chair, Heather said,
“I’m honoured to be named as the Vice Chair of the Association. As a Fellow of the IRV, and having long been a member of the National Committee as Chair of the Education Steering Group I’m keen to continue championing these areas of the NAJ, but also develop my involvement with other areas of the Association.
“At this vital time, it’s never been more important for us all to pull together and recognise that as a membership, we are greater together than the sum of our individual parts. The NAJ community incorporates all areas of the jewellery sector, from retailers to suppliers and designers to valuers, and that’s what I think makes the Association so relevant right now.”
Heather has served as Chair of the Education Steering Group for the past four years and will continue in this role for the immediate future, as well as an Advisor on the NAJ’s ATHE Level 3 Foundation of Appraisal Practice (FoAP).
Making the announcement at the Valuers’ Virtual Conference, David Doyle NAJ President said,
“I’m delighted that one of the country’s leading valuers has taken on the Vice Chair position of the NAJ. Heather’s commitment and work with the Education Steering Group in recent years should be commended, and I am excited to be working with her in the Vice Chair capacity.”
Joining the industry in 1995, Heather began her jewellery journey with Plants the Jewellers as a retail sales assistant, progressing quickly to store manager, whilst acquiring her qualification’s to progress to become an NAG Registered Valuer. Since then, Heather has worked for Fellows Auctioneers heading their jewellery department, after which she then moved to set up her own Valuation company, where she remains today.
Gary Wroe was announced Chair of the NAJ in June 2020, and commented on the announcement,
“I’m looking forward to working with Heather as Vice Chair. There’s a lot to be excited about with the NAJ and with its overarching Federation. As a National Committee, the Association’s ‘Essential Strategy’ continues to be our priority, supporting members navigate COVID and continue to deliver relevance and value.”
The announcement was made at the inaugural Virtual Valuers’ Conference which featured a high calibre of speakers including Richard Drucker from GemWorld International, Alan Cohen from the London Diamond Bourse and Kerry Gregory, Founder of Gemmology Rocks.
The Conference was led by the Institute of Registered Valuers, but attracted attendees from across the industry, including jewellery retailers, jewellery designers and jewellery suppliers.
At the event Barry Sullivan was presented with the David Wilkins Award for his commitment to the IRV in 2020.
The next Valuers’ Conference takes place at the NAJ Summit, alongside the Retail Jewellers’ Congress, Better Business, Created in the UK and SecurityWise seminars as well as the NAJ Awards sponsored by Back on the High Street.
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Source: National Association of Jewellers