JNA Awards announces 2019 Honourees
The prestigious JNA Awards unveiled its highly anticipated list of Honourees across 11 categories for its eighth edition. The announcement was made at a press conference during the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.
Organised by Informa Markets, the JNA Awards strives to encourage and promote excellence, innovation and best business practices.
The JNA Awards also serves as a platform to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in the international jewellery and gemstone industry from the time it was founded in 2012. The judging panel has worked diligently over this past month, as their job keeps getting tougher and tougher each year. In 2019, there are almost 100 high-quality entries from 15 countries and regions, and 46 of them are shortlisted as Honourees.
Industry Innovation of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (age 40 and below) proved to be two of the most popular categories, and these are areas that holds the driving force in the advancement of the industry.
Letitia Chow, Chairperson of the JNA Awards, and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at Informa Markets, commented, “Of the 39 Honouree companies that were shortlisted, almost half of them are first-time entrants, indicating a growing interest among quality companies who recognise the importance of this platform to share best business practices. We have also received a record number of entries from Thailand, second in ranking together with India and Hong Kong, reflecting the importance of this market which has been traditionally shy and modest about its accomplishment.”
The 2019 independent judging panel consists of industry experts: James Courage, former Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Guild International (PGI) and former Chairman of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC); Albert Cheng, former Managing Director of World Gold Council, Far East (WGC); Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE); Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) India and Middle East; Yasukazu Suwa, Chairman of Suwa & Son, Inc.; and Mark Lee, Research Director of Asia Pacific Institute for Strategy (APIFS).
Courage shared, “The quality of this year’s entries, along with its diversity in terms of size, type and geography, are worth noting. Despite facing challenges that stem from increased competition, rising costs and labour constraints, the industry – through these entries – showed its focus and determination when it comes to investing in innovation, operating systems and consumer research.”
Cheng added, “Just like in the last seven years, Industry Innovation of the Year proved to be the most popular category. The Young Entrepreneur Honourees – whose credentials, professionalism and innovativeness reflect on their outstanding businesses – are equally impressive. The diversity and number of participating countries, as well as the nature of innovations presented, are also truly encouraging.”
Lin of SDE remarked, “It is my great honour to be part of the Judging Panel for the eighth year. It is surprising and inspiring to know that nearly 100 entries were received – more than half of which are from first-time entrants. The influence and credibility of the JNA Awards is beyond question. It will be a rewarding journey for everyone involved.”
“Having worked with the JNA Awards since 2013, I noticed that the judging process grows more difficult as the entries reach new heights and push the boundaries of excellence year after year. All the Honourees of the JNA Awards 2019 truly deserve praise and recognition. I wish all of them success.” GIA’s Bhatt noted.
On judging the entries, Suwa of Suwa & Son expressed, “Entrants to the JNA Awards vary from very big corporations that sell close to USD 10 billion, to those that sell just a few hundred thousand. I kept in mind to judge them based on their mission and the long-term good they have been doing for people, regardless of the company’s size and the number of employees.”
Lee of APIFS also added, “The JNA Awards continues to strengthen its role as an excellent platform to showcase the industry's progress and success. The entries, particularly in the areas of innovation and marketing, are truly impressive. They take innovation to a whole new level, by treating jewellery as an art form; and taking marketing beyond its traditional role with a focus on infotainment.”
