Former Jewellers Co. directors Brett Low and Ewen Ryley have published a statement clarifying they resigned from the Jewellery Industry Network in May 2023 and say they had no visibility over the organisation’s subsequent governance as companies linked to the group accumulated more than $14 million in liabilities.
- Price: $14,000,000 (reported liabilities)
- Carat weight: N/A
- Origin: Australia
- Date: Resignation May 2023; statement published 17 December 2024
What they said
Low and Ryley’s brief, measured statement stresses they “stepped away” to concentrate on their own businesses and that they received no payment or distributions from Jewellery Industry Network (JIN) during or after their tenure. They single out former JIN general manager Laura Moore as responsible for day-to-day operations, marketing and finances while the pair were directors.
Context
The Jewellery Industry Network was formed in September 2020 and promoted as “Australia’s largest network of jewellers,” drawing on the reach of the Young Jewellers Group (now Jewellers Co.) Facebook community. The narrative matters because a pattern of company failures connected to JIN has left creditors facing a substantial heft of liabilities. The recent reporting and the directors’ response arrive against a 2025 backdrop in which the trade increasingly prizes clear governance, traceable provenance, and demonstrable financial stewardship.
In 2025, buyers and event partners are placing higher premium on transparency and risk mitigation: event sponsorships that once carried reputational vitreous luster now face scrutiny for their governance and long-term solvency. Retailers are reassessing partnerships and preferring organisers with audited accounts or independent trusteeship for deposits and ticket revenues.
Why this matters to US retailers and investors
The immediate takeaway is operational and reputational risk. US retailers who source, exhibit or co-sponsor with trade organisers should note three practical implications:
- Due diligence: Verify incorporation records, director resignation dates and the existence of segregated client funds before committing capital or marketing support.
- Contract structure: Insist on escrow for deposits and clear refund mechanisms for events; a single legal dispute can create downstream exposure for exhibitors and partners.
- Brand protection: Absence of visible endorsement, altered sponsorship lists, or sudden withdrawal of a prominent supporter are indicators that merit escalation to legal and finance teams.
Low and Ryley frame their exit as a return to operating independent Queensland stores—Deer Honey Jewellery and Ryley Jewellery Creations—and as a continued commitment to the trade outside of JIN. Their statement is posted in full on the Jeweller site and is offered as a transparency measure; for many suppliers and buyers, it will be one element among several in recalibrating who they trust to organise events and manage industry platforms.
Next steps for stakeholders
For retailers and investors considering ties to Australian trade events or networks in 2025: demand audited financials for organisers, require contractual safeguards for fees and stock, and monitor director movements closely. The dispute and resignations underline that a community’s perceived cache—its vitreous luster—does not substitute for clear financial governance.
Read Brett Low and Ewen Ryley’s full statement
Image Referance: https://www.jewellermagazine.com/Article/14684/Former-Jewellery-Industry-Network-directors-issue-statement