Beaverbrooks Group has expanded its director team as it reshapes its leadership ahead of the retirement of brand director Roger Fairhurst.
Ben Reilly has been promoted to operations director following 21 years with the group. His most recent position was head of property and store design.
Jo Wilkinson becomes digital and brand experience director after more than 15 years leading omnichannel and digital development within the business.
Nick Bucknell, who has worked for Beaverbrooks for 22 years, has been appointed watch buying and Loupe operations director. He will oversee watch buying across the group alongside his existing responsibilities for luxury watch and fine jewellery retailer Loupe and Beaverbrooks’ Rolex business.
Simon Smith’s remit has also expanded. His role will change from retail director to retail, people and culture director as the group increases its focus on staff, organisational culture and retail development.
The changes come as Fairhurst begins his retirement after more than 35 years with Beaverbrooks. He will step down as brand director at the end of September but remain with the business until spring 2027.
The Adlestone family, which owns Beaverbrooks, will retain board representation through third-generation family member Mark Adlestone, who continues as chairman and director. Managing director Anna Blackburn said the appointments would strengthen the leadership team while recognising the experience of long-serving employees.
Beaverbrooks Group owns its namesake retail chain and also Loupe, a standalone luxury watch and jewellery retail concept launched in 2022. The leadership changes at the Group follow a challenging financial year for Beaverbrooks. The family-owned jeweller reported turnover of £217.3 million for the year to 1 March 2025, down from £228.6 million, while pre-tax profit fell from almost £1.1 million to £340,000. The company nevertheless invested more than £9.5 million in its store estate during the period, alongside £1.5 million in e-commerce infrastructure and made £1.6 million of charitable donations.
