Learning & Development at 155 Regent Street

Fan of horology? Our flagship Watches of Switzerland showroom on 155 Regent Street is the place to be. The store, which opened in 2014, gives everyone who steps inside the opportunity to truly immerse themselves in to the world of luxury Swiss timepieces.

Avani Patel is the Watches of Switzerland Learning & Development Officer for our London showrooms. Covering the Golden Triangle and our Rolex Boutique on Old Bond Street, Avani assists our teams in Regent Street, Oxford Street and Knightsbridge, providing training and support for both new starters, alongside well-established colleagues.

I caught up with Avani to find out more about her role, life at our flagship store and to get her advice on pursuing a career in Learning & Development. 

Hi Avani! Thank you for taking time out to talk to us.

Hi Mimi, it's always great catching up with you.

How long have you been with The Watches of Switzerland Group now?

It is now coming up to two years and has gone incredibly fast!

Tell us a bit more about your role; what does a typical day looks like for you?

My role within Learning & Development is extremally varied and no two days are ever the same. I can be in our London Head Office one day and in the showrooms the next, supporting with anything from coaching colleagues, designing training, supporting with people development, delivering workshops, or supporting with inductions.

What’s the best thing about 155 Regent Street?

What can I say about working at Europe’s largest showroom dedicated exclusively to luxury timepieces? Well, there’s never a dull day in the office! It’s a great feeling to spend everyday with dedicated colleagues, inspiring leaders and the industry’s top brands.

How important is training to the team?

With over 60 team members, 34 brands and ensuring we are consistently delivering exceptional client experience, training is paramount. Developing our people is a vital part of our business and our Learning & Development team continue to support with leadership programmes, coaching, development workshops and eLearning modules.

How much of our training is centred around our clients?

We always look for new ways to deliver training and as a client focused brand, we ensure our training always has clients at the centre, whilst continuing to support, train and coach colleagues to develop their skills through the many workshops we offer.

What advice would you give to anyone who was looking to develop a career in L&D?

Learning & Development is a fantastic career route and one I am extremely lucky to be on with The Watches of Switzerland Group. I would advise that people research the various types of roles within L&D and continue to develop your coaching skills. Additionally, as a fast-paced and evolving sector, always remember to be open to learning new skills – this will help you to adapt your training and communication delivery.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned since joining The Watches of Switzerland Group?

That team work is a huge part of our growth and success. As we continue to grow as a company, we also continue to grow our people. Not only do we work hard together, but we have a great company culture and always encourage our people to achieve more.

If you could choose any watch, which one would you have?

Wow! There are so many to choose from. I must go with the most recognised, yet classic, Rolex Date Just 31, Oystersteel and Yellow Gold Rolesor, Silver dial set with diamonds and the Jubilee Bracelet. It is so beautifully elegant with its distinctive face and concealed clasp.

Excellent choice! Which of our company values do you identify with the most?

All six of our values are important to me, so it’s hard to pick just one. Team work is essential, especially in my role supporting the Watches of Switzerland showrooms in London. Working in the London office and the showrooms, it is key to have a sense of fun, whilst continuing to achieve excellence by supporting and sharing knowledge and experiences.