Because they assess more precious items than anybody else in the U.K. SafeGuard Specialist Valuers provide an unrivalled level of expertise

Phil Withington - Senior Valuer Phil has been working for SafeGuard for the last Seven years and has recently been appointed Senior Valuer. He has NAG, RJ Val. Dip. and FNAG Qualifications. He previously worked for 17 years at BeaverBrooks and another 5 years working as a jeweller. He loves the abundance of varied items he has to value, which helps enhance his knowledge of jewellery. He also likes meeting clients face to face and NOT working on Saturdays!! After work Phil enjoys the odd round of Golf and Socialising. Phil covers: Scotland, the North East and Wales. back to top

Jim Potts – Consultant Valuer Jim Potts FGA, DGA, RV, RJ Dip. Consultant Valuer Jim Potts, has been associated with SafeGuard for 15 years and laughs gently at the first question asked of him: “It’s everybody’s first question,” he said, but his answer is, nonetheless, very impressive. “The most unusual item I have ever been asked to value was a jewel-encrusted oriental dagger and the most valuable was what turned out to be a Cartier bracelet with a price tag of £200,000.” Jim’s career in the jewellery trade started as a trainee manager at H. Samuel in 1978. Four and a half years later he moved to Zales as assistant manger and then Manager of the Kidderminster and Telford stores. He took over responsibility for the training of all managers and new staff within the Midlands region and during this period also gained his valuer qualifications. Jim’s interest in jewellery extends well beyond working hours. He is a keen goldsmith and designs and in his spare time makes his own avant garde jewellery in a workshop at his home. However, this hobby together with his other love – classic sports cars – went on hold for a time while he actually built his own home – a four-bedroom house in Telford. back to top

Craig O’Donnell Craig O’Donnell SafeGuard Silver Expert in his element Craig O Donnell, is one of SafeGuard’s expert team of valuers, who specialises in Jewellery, Watches and Antique silver. He has a BA degree in “Fine Arts Valuation”. There are many antique pieces among the tens of thousands of articles valued by SafeGuard every year. The team of valuers assess anything cocktail and pocket watches, diamond rings, antique gold as well as silver candlesticks, tea sets, trophies and even Mayoral Chains. Valuing these items presents a very different challenge from those modern items which are immediately replaceable from the High Street. The condition of the item, the fashionability of the brand or maker, affect the value. The customer benefits from having a photographic record of the item and a Valuation at either Antique Replacement Value or Period Replacement Value and the reassurance that SafeGuard will retain all the details on their secure database in case the paperwork is lost. Craig says “We do see a very wide variety of items and we have a few regular customers who seem determined to set us a challenge. A while back I valued a Haida Indian Argillite totem pole, a fabulous seventeenth century rosewater dish, a Hester Bateman Caddy and an Arthur and Georgie Gaskin necklet, amongst many other things. Working for SafeGuard means that every day is different. We never know what we will be presented with next!” back to top

Joanne White Joanne has been working as part of the SafeGuard Jewellery Valuation team since January 2001. Joanne’s qualifications include: Jewellery & Silversmithing Degree BA (Hons), FGA Gemmology, DGA Diamond Grading, PJ Val. Dip. Valuers Diploma She previously worked at PA Jewellery (Independent) in Sheffield carrying out design sales and valuing. Joanne loves the variety and challenge of the job. She says “Meeting the challenge on valuation days (you never know what may come in) as well as speaking with customers face to face is very enjoyable. She also likes travelling to different parts of the country and meeting the staff at the various different shops and showing them, “how a valuation is done.” Her parents live in Sheffield and she gets to see them quite regularly when working in South Yorkshire. She also has a brother in Germany. Joanne enjoys socialising with friends, cooking and eating out, dancing, art galleries and contemporary craft, listening to music, travelling and learning about different cultures. back to top

Alan Heyes Alan has been part of the SafeGuard Jewellery Valuation team for 3 Years He has FGA, PJ Val. Dip. and FNAG Qualifications. Alan has spent a lifetime in the jewellery trade, both in retail and in, manufacturing. He became a registered valuer at the inception of the scheme by the NAG in the late 1980’s. Alan too enjoys the variety of both working in the office and also getting out on the road to meet customers, members of the public and retail store staff. He says, the pleasure in seeing an unusual or unique item of jewellery and the opportunity to see many fine items of Art Deco jewellery which is one of his favourite periods of design, are definitely perks of the job. Alan’s three children are all in their thirties and left home many years ago. He and his wife enjoy socialising with friends and the occasional country walk. After work Alan unwinds, playing golf, listening to music and reading. Alan covers: Scotland, the North of England and Central and Eastern England. back to top

Tim Bratton Biog info to be added shortly back to top