Laings has appointed Brian Nelson as its new retail director, responsible for the on and offline retail operations and day-to-day management of the 182-year-old business.
Previously head of retail, he will now have strategic oversight of the retail side of the business, including its showrooms in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Southampton and Cardiff, as well as its first mono-brand showroom with OMEGA in Wales.
He will focus on driving footfall and elevating the client experience, as well as playing a key role in shaping the success of the new Laings flagship showroom in Glasgow, announced earlier this year.
Laings introduced its board of directors in October last year to support the jewellers’ growth, with transformation plans being rolled out across the business as part of its £10m expansion project.
With more than 27 years’ experience in the jewellery and watch sector, Nelson will become the 10th director, supporting managing director Stuart McDowell and sales director Richard Laing, as well as feeding into the wider business operations.
McDowell, who previously held the role of retail director until 2021, when he was announced as managing director, said: “Brian will help lead the next phase of development for Laings, while continuing to work alongside our partners and brands to redefine a truly luxury retail experience.”
Nelson first joined Laings in 2006, spending six years as assistant manager, following stints with Ernest Jones, and a senior role at Mappin & Webb.
He re-joined the Laings team in 2019 from Fraser Hart Jewellers, taking over management of the Edinburgh watch gallery, before becoming Laings' Edinburgh manager.
Nelson said: “Having held various roles across the sector, and within Laings itself - from shop floor to operations management - I can now offer my passion and expertise to the board to bring best practice together with Laings’ esteemed heritage to truly exceed client expectations.”
Through six generations of family ownership, Laings has become one of the largest independent jewellery businesses in the UK.
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