Andrew Hirshman, director of Drakes Jewellers, is stepping down from the Company of Master Jewellers’ Board of Directors after four years in the position.
Drakes, run by Mr Hirsham and his sister Monique (pictured) is a leading independent jeweller based in Plymouth’s Drake Circus Shopping Centre. The business specialises in jewellery plus fashion and lifestyle watch brands.
Mr Hirsham makes way for the first board member from outside the jewellery and watch industry, as Julie Langford, who has spent her career in the building merchant business, joins as a non-executive director.
Ms Langford was previously finance director at the National Merchant Building Society (NMBS), a centralised buying group for independent builders. NMBS is a multi-billion-pound organisation with more than 1,000 members and more than 3,100 branches.
Willie Hamilton, chief executive of the CMJ, believes an outsider’s expertise will add valuable skills to the jewellery group’s board. added: “We would like to welcome Julie to the CMJ Board as our new non-executive director. She brings with her a wealth of experience, which I am sure will be invaluable. Coming from outside the jewellery and watch industry, we also look forward to her unique insight and opinion on how to continue the group’s success.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew Hirshman for the professionalism and commitment he has given to the Board over the past few years,” Mr Hamilton added.
