Laings has promoted its service centre manager Serena Gough to its board of directors.
The jeweller says Ms Gough will strengthen its leadership team and drive growth as part of a wider mission to put craftsmanship at the heart of the business.
Ms Gough joined in 2019, and heads up Laings Services and Laings Bespoke departments that support six showrooms across the UK.
A statement accompanying news of her appointment to the board says it recognises her significant contribution to the business and her depth of passion, knowledge and understanding of the jewellery and luxury watch industry.
“Serena has been a tremendous asset to Laings for over four years, working as an integral part of the expansion of our Services and Bespoke departments and the development of our workshops. We’re thrilled to welcome Serena to our UK board of directors and we’re looking forward to her focusing on her roots in a watchmaking and bringing her extensive knowledge and skills to her new role,” says Stuart McDowell, managing director at Laings.
Laings is home to the UK’s two leading watch brands, Rolex and Patek Philippe, but aims to maintain its identity as a premium family-run jeweller capable of delivering exceptional services as well as products to its clients.
“The transformation and growth in our Services and Bespoke business in recent years, achieved by growing our team of highly skilled watchmakers and goldsmiths, shows how committed Laings is to further our integrity to our clients and embracing our responsibility to educate and improve our industry,” Ms Gough says.
Laings opened a service centre in Cardiff at the beginning of this year, and is rolling out similar workshops across its retail network.
“I’m looking forward to the opening of our state-of-the-art workshops, new fantastic showrooms and facilities, and for us to return to the original Laings vision of what a jeweller is at its roots, with craftsmanship and skills in the limelight. For our teams to be able to share this with our clients and us take ownership of the quality synonymous with our brand is truly a privilege to be a part of,” Ms Gough describes.
Along with investment into its service centres, Laings is also developing an apprenticeship scheme along with recruitment of specialists including watchmakers, goldsmiths, and designers.
