Remembering Amanda Reavell

21 Nov 2023

On 13th November 2023, we at the NAJ lost a dear friend and colleague when Amanda Reavell passed away. Michael Payne, former Chair of the NAJ Educational Trust, pays his respects.

Amanda was one of a kind. A knowledgeable and strictly controlling financial officer for many years at the National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) and latterly with the National Association of Jewellers.

Amanda joined the NAG in the late 1990s when it was based in Luke Street in east London, and her second-floor office was located just outside that of the Chief Executive. Hence, she was effectively able to act as his gatekeeper, as well as to have a good understanding of all that was happening in both the NAG and the trade. This knowledge was always held in the strictest confidence but also put to good use.

Amanda had her view of how things should be done and wasn’t worried about expressing it. As honorary treasurer, you knew exactly where you stood, and I, for one, respected that. However, under that strict, controlling persona, there was a heart of gold. She took great pride in her work but also was a consoling and comforting friend to many.

She was also a calm influence in times of crisis. On one occasion, the annual general meeting of the NAG began with a private viewing at Tate Britain. However, The lunch and meeting were booked at Tate Modern, a River Bus having been expected to glide everyone between the two. The only problem was the complete lack of seats on the River Bus! Hence, quite a few taxis had to be organised out of nowhere, and it was Amanda to the rescue.

Amanda’s attention to detail was also very evident, not just in the accounts she produced but also in her administrative abilities. These included the little details such as always ensuring that Hamish had pride of place at the table for those NAG annual general meetings of old, even if it meant him accompanying her to the annual conference. For anyone who has not met Hamish, he is the mascot of the NAG; a ram’s head snuff mull now serving out his retirement at Federation House in Birmingham!

In retirement from the NAG and NAJ, Amanda loved retaining her contact with the trade through both the NAJ Educational Trust and the Institute of Registered Valuers. Indeed, she was only too pleased when, each year, she was asked to help Sandra Page, her friend and colleague of many years, to assist with the organisation of the annual Valuers' Conference. Indeed, she also made it clear that she would want to help train her successor to the role of administrator for the NAJ Educational Trust, from which she only retired in October.

Photo: Amanda (right), with David Callaghan and Sandra Page at a Valuer's Conference.

Sandra Page, former IRV administrator and current Trust secretary, worked alongside Amanda for many years and said,

"Amanda was a very important part of the NAG team; looking after staff welfare as well as ensuring the Association's accounts and obligations were in order. With the forming of the NAJ, she left those roles behind but continued as Trust administrator (becoming secretary in 2020). She took great pleasure in looking after the trustees and the students that the Trust supported. She also loved attending the old Loughborough Conferences and the recent NAJ Summits. I shall miss her very much not only as an ex-colleague but also as a very dear friend."

Amanda had struggled bravely with her illness over several years, never complaining but rather more concerned that she might be letting people down. Her equally charming husband Graham also suffered with his heath uncomplainingly until he too sadly passed away earlier this year. At least Amanda was able to take comfort from her belief and involvement in her local church, where she also acted as the treasurer for many years.

Amanda will be greatly missed by more people in the trade than she might have imagined. She was a good friend to the NAG and NAJ family, and we will all miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her daughter Antonia, close family members and friends.

If you wish to donate money to one of Amanda's chosen charities, you can find details at the links provided: All Saints and Sesaw

Source: National Association of Jewellers