As Weston Beamor and Domino Jewellery prepare to come together as one connected business this summer, we spoke to our Operations Director, Kerry Saunders, about the role operations, sustainability and customer service will play in shaping the future of the company.

Having worked closely across both businesses over the years, Kerry has been central to helping build a more connected, efficient and forward-thinking operation - one designed to better support our customers while continuing to invest in responsible British manufacturing.

Operations are often described as the backbone of a business. What does great operations mean to you?

For me, great operations are about creating consistency, trust and simplicity. Customers want confidence that things will happen when they should, communication will be clear and the quality will remain consistently high. Great operations make that possible behind the scenes.

It's about building processes and systems that support both our customers and our teams, while creating an environment where people can do their best work. When operations work well, customers feel the benefit throughout every stage of the journey, even if they never directly see the complexity behind it.

Sustainability continues to become more important across the jewellery industry. How is that influencing the business?

Sustainability is now part of almost every conversation surrounding manufacturing, and rightly so. Customers increasingly want transparency around sourcing, materials and how products are made, and as manufacturers, we have a responsibility to continue improving how we operate.

Across the business, that includes using responsibly sourced, recycled precious metals as standard wherever possible, investing in energy-efficient technologies, reducing waste and improving operational efficiencies throughout production. We have long been committed to responsible manufacturing, using 100% recycled gold across our collections, giving customers confidence that their jewellery is crafted with both quality and sustainability in mind.

We've also worked hard to create a more connected manufacturing process under one roof, reducing unnecessary transportation, duplicate processes and additional handling while improving efficiency across the business. Importantly, sustainability isn't a single project or initiative - it's about continuous improvement and making responsible decisions every day.

How does bringing the businesses together improve the customer experience?

The biggest benefit is simplicity and connectivity. Historically, customers may have interacted with different teams, services or processes separately, even when projects were closely connected behind the scenes. Bringing the businesses together allows us to create a far more joined-up experience across casting, bespoke, wedding rings, mounts and finished jewellery.

It means clearer communication, improved collaboration between departments and a more streamlined customer journey overall. Customers still receive the same expertise, service and craftsmanship they already trust, but with easier access to a broader range of capabilities through one connected business.

What role do people play within operations?

People are absolutely central to everything we do. Processes and technology are important, but it's our teams that bring the business to life every day. Strong operations depend on communication, collaboration and experience, and we're incredibly fortunate to have talented people across every area of the business.

One of the most exciting parts of the integration has been seeing teams work more closely together, sharing knowledge and finding new ways to improve how we operate. That collaboration creates a much stronger foundation for the future.

Bringing our workshops together also creates exciting opportunities for our people to develop their skills. By working alongside colleagues with different specialisms, our teams are able to gain experience across a broader range of disciplines, particularly within bespoke manufacturing. Protecting traditional craftsmanship has always been important to us, and creating more opportunities to learn, collaborate and develop helps ensure those skills continue to thrive for future generations.

What excites you most about this next chapter?

The opportunity to continue building something stronger together. Over recent years, the businesses have already become increasingly connected operationally, so this integration feels like a natural evolution of that journey.

It gives us the ability to invest further in systems, technology, sustainability and customer support while continuing to strengthen our manufacturing capabilities here in Birmingham. It also creates exciting opportunities for our people, bringing together different areas of expertise and allowing teams to learn from one another, develop new skills and continue building the next generation of British craftspeople.

Most importantly, it allows us to create a business that is better positioned for the future while staying true to the craftsmanship, service and relationships that have always defined both companies.