LONDON, May 29 /PRNewswire/ — Jewellery industry leaders London Jewellery First are celebrating the
launch next month of the first-ever Coutts London Jewellery Week (11 to 15
June 2008).

The 11 members of this independent group, whose aim is to promote and
galvanise the jewellery industry in London, have been instrumental in
establishing the city-wide showcase of London’s jewellery design excellence.

In response to industry calls for a high-profile, consumer-facing event,
the group led a two-year campaign to make it happen. Organised by the City
Fringe Partnership with funding from the London Development Agency (LDA),
London Jewellery First (LJF) helped to commission a feasibility study to
develop the Week, which to date has attracted over 600 participants and
secured considerable support and sponsorship from the private sector.

Lisa Chambers of London Jewellery First said: “Coutts London Jewellery
Week is an event created by the industry for the industry. It involves
everyone from designers, manufacturers to retailers and is uniting the
jewellery trade in an unprecedented way. London Jewellery First is proud and
excited to be a catalyst for the Week’s delivery.”
Over 125 events throughout London are planned for the five days of Coutts
London Jewellery Week. They include ‘Treasure’ at the Tower of London
featuring 40 designer jewellers, a platinum trail around the capital,
numerous open studios, free seminars and receptions in Hatton Garden, Green
Street and Bond Street, and even the iconic London Eye will be lit up as a
huge diamond ring.

Acting as a powerful voice for the industry, LJF members over the past
two years have brought about a step change to London’s jewellery industry by
uniting key collaborators. They champion projects commissioned as part of the
Jewellery Sector Investment Plan (JSIP), the regional initiative for which
the City Fringe Partnership, with assistance from Camden Council and The
Goldsmiths’ Company, secured GBP3 million in funding from the LDA. Other
LJF-driven projects focus on mentoring, exporting, education and professional
development. For more details, visit http://www.change-act-share.org.uk.

The members of London Jewellery First are Daniel Caspi (Chairman), Lisa
Chambers, Mark Gartrell, Colin Green, Mike Hambling, Amanda Mansell,
Anne-Marie Reeves, Neill Swan, Sheila Teague, Anna Wales and Gary Williams.

Notes to Editors

London Jewellery First is an independent group of specialists from the
Jewellery Industry who work closely with the CFP to steer the programme of
projects delivered as part of the Jewellery Sector Investment Plan (JSIP)
with members acting as champions for individual projects. Together they help
unite the London jewellery sector, acting as a catalyst for growth and
improvement within the industry. The JSIP is led by the City Fringe
Partnership with GBP3 million of funding from the London Development Agency.
The plan is designed to generate training opportunities, encourage new
technology, business skills and exports, and support new talent.

ChangeActShare is the central communications project for the Jewellery
Sector Investment Plan (JSIP). The JSIP is designed to meet the challenges
that the jewellery industry currently faces: to remain competitive and to
grow demand for products designed and/or manufactured in London.
ChangeActShare also supports the work of London Jewellery First.
http://www.change-act-share.org.uk

The London Development Agency (LDA) works to improve quality of life for
all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth. Coutts London Jewellery
Week has received funding from the LDA through the Jewellery Sector
Investment Plan delivered by the City Fringe Partnership.

For more information, please contact:
Anna Barlow, London Jewellery First
anna.barlow@camden.gov.uk
Tel: 44-207-974-8146
Langdales, 5 St Cross Street, Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8UA

Coutts London Jewellery Week website:
http://www.londonjewelleryweek.co.uk

London Jewellery First