A conversation with Jason Fitzgerald

After a number of years within the industry* Jason Fitzgerald began his journey with the Group as a National Sales Manager for Goldsmiths in 2015. ?Fast forward to the summer of 2018, Jason took over our Mappin & Webb retail brand, which has had an incredible amount of success in the year that has followed, including their award this week for Multiple Luxury Jewellery Retailer of the Year at the 2019 Professional Jeweller Awards.

Here, Jason talks us through his journey since joining the Group and what a typical day in the life of our Mappin & Webb National Sales Manager looks like...

Jason, tell us about your journey since joining The Watches of Switzerland Group...

I have been in the retail jewellery industry for 28 years, always working for a multiple jeweller; I know what you’re all thinking, from my picture, it looks like I have been doing it a lot longer! 

I have been working with The Watches of Switzerland Group for almost four years now. I started my journey within Goldsmiths as the National Sales Manager for the South, where I really got to understand the differences in our business, from processes to the culture, to what makes our business stand apart from the competition, which ultimately is the great people and amazing teams. They demonstrate how they live and breathe our values on a daily basis, with incredible passion and dedication; true unrivalled teamwork. They strive for excellence to be the best retailers and central support teams in retail today, not only through their sales results, but through all areas of the business, from customer service, to the support for their local communities. Without question, everyone in our business cares about what they do and how they do it, which I am extremely proud to be a part of. 

In July 2018, I was delighted to take over Mappin & Webb as the National Sales Manager, as this is a division of the business which I have always admired. I wanted to lead this luxury brand as Mappin & Webb has so much heritage, starting its journey in 1775, when Jonathan Mappin opened his first Silversmith workshop. The brand then advanced to receive Royal Warrants and commissions from Monarchs around the world. Mappin & Webb has become synonymous with excellence, craftsmanship and all things truly and greatly British. Some of our other accolades include making solid gold ashtrays and silver pocket watches for Sir Winston Churchill and we made the Ryder cup. In fact, to support our quest for continuous improvement, we have just opened a new silversmith’s workshop just outside of London, to enable us to deal with a great demand for commission to match any client enquiry.

What does a typical day for you entail?

The National Sales Manager role is very varied, as I am responsible for everything to do with retail for Mappin & Webb. This includes the sales performance, brand standards, team retention and development, client experience, brand relationships and developing partnerships to enhance our business. All of this, whilst of course delivering on profit targets as well.

An early highlight that has stayed with me was when I was invited to the Household division dinner in the amazing Vintners Hall in London, where I had the pleasure of speaking to 115 guests of the Household Division. I don’t mind telling you it was a nervous time waiting to deliver my speech, but I am pleased to say it went well and it was an incredible evening due to the amazing efforts of Karl Bailey, our Royal Warrant Holder, and all of the Marketing team.

The part of my role that I enjoy the most and excites me the most is working with the teams in Mappin & Webb, from the support functions, to the managers and their teams. Everyone is an expert in their field, which enables us to live up to our reputation of being the best luxury jeweller. My team are incredible; their knowledge and experience is amazing, with 305 years experience in the management team alone! This means they really are experts in their field and there is always something for me to learn from my team. I support them in developing these skills and in realising all their goals, so we can elevate what we do on a daily basis.

What's your favourite thing about being such an integral part of The Watches of Switzerland Group?

The management teams leadership and experience has really supported the biggest change in Mappin & Webb, which is elevating the commercial focus of the business, while maintaining the luxury client experience and increasing the focus on client management, and the acquisition of new clients. I am delighted to say the management teams have embraced the ethos that everything is important and all aspects of the business is working, not just one area.

How do you think people would describe you?

How people would describe me is a difficult one, however I can only base this on the feedback I have received which is focused, organised, disciplined and driven. I’m passionate about the business, my role and my teams development, and in turn, their success. I know people would consider me a networker, which has paid dividends in my new role. Another obvious one is people focused, which is very important to me, as I consider myself supportive and approachable. My door is always open.

*I've been assured he wasn't around when we started our partnership with Rolex 100 years ago