Kit Heath was co-founded by brother & sister design partnership, Kit Heath and Katie Nickell, in 1984, taking inspiration from timeless British style and the natural beauty of North Devon. Can you tell us a little about how the company developed and the driving force behind its success as innovators in jewellery design?

Kit started making silver jewellery and selling it from his campervan and later Katie joined him to develop the design and production side of things, and a thriving wholesale business was born. Sales grew and the company became known for its design quality and in 2000 the Kit Heath brand was launched.

Kit had acquired the first shop that he had sold into and so had his finger not only on the wholesale pulse but also on consumer sell through. This proved invaluable in terms of knowing what both the retailer and consumer wanted. Kit Heath lead the way in terms of catalogues and support materials, customer service levels, silver design and quality.

An energy and appetite for constant change, an eye for trends, award winning design and state-of-art catalogues and support material are what have kept Kit Heath at the top of their game and seen the business expand into the USA and beyond.

Why do you think Kit Heath is an award-winning and internationally desired brand, and continues to thrive in such a competitive market?

Quality product at the right price points are key. Kit Heath offers tactile solid sterling silver that is known for its weight, touch and feel. Classic, timeless jewellery with a contemporary twist is what we do best.

The Kit Heath brand is “synonymous with an understated confident aesthetic and renowned for contemporary designs with a classic appeal”. Such a distinctive brand identity means Kit Heath is a leader not a follower. Good design is often copied. When you have come across infringements, how have you dealt with them?

When your product is popular you can be sure that there will be unscrupulous individuals seeking to cash in on your success by copying your design.  We watch out for this and politely bring it to the attention of whoever is breaching our copyright. If they persist, we look to ACID and solicitors to ensure they stop and that we are compensated.

Copying culture is an unfortunate but undeniable aspect of design in the UK, what is your message about this culture, to those who perpetuate it?

Great brands are built on being the first and the best in their field, they lead and trail blaze.

Being a follower, not having an original idea and ‘cheating’ those who do, does not serve anyone well and ultimately is not credible or sustainable.

Do you think that IP ethics, compliance and respect for intellectual property should be the cornerstone of the industry, in terms of declared Corporate Social Responsibility? And if so, how could the jewellery design sector achieve this? 

Absolutely yes – We need the support of ACID and the law to acheive this. More substantial penalties/ fines could help with compliance.

Designing beautiful silver jewellery is at the heart of Kit Heath’s design principles; how do you inspire your people to persistently attain high standards and how important do you think this is for the future of such a trusted and respected British family company?

Our design team are passionate about both creative excellence and quality finish and take inspiration from nature, architecture, art and fashion, coupled with responsible and sustainable practices. An enquiring mind and unrelenting drive are in our DNA and we would not be true to ourselves unless we persistently held ourselves to the highest standards and explored new directions.

Under the latest IP Act, we have criminal provisions for intentional Registered design infringement against the infringing company but also for individual directors. Do you believe that if these criminal provisions are extended to unregistered designs infringements, it will become more of a deterrent?

Positively, yes.

What you feel ACID’s achievements have been and what we could do in the future to further raise awareness about IP theft?

ACID have helped us to hold people to account and to deter others we need to ‘name and shame’ and publicise your successes.

As you know ACID is the main Policy and Government campaigning body for Design & IP reform. Do you have any recommendations to Government to stem the tide of blatant design theft to support the jewellery and broader design sector?

As above – more sizeable fines and criminal sanctions.

Kit Heath