Informa Markets Jewellery announced today the judging panel for the Sustainability Awards 2024 by JWA (Jewellery World Awards), a global initiative that recognises and honours outstanding sustainability efforts undertaken in the past three years by businesses of all sizes in the fine jewellery, gemstone and related industries.
The judging panel consists of experts who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields, both from within and beyond the jewellery world. They are John Mulligan, Director of Market Relations & Climate Change Lead at the World Gold Council (WGC); gem and jewellery industry expert Nirupa Bhatt, Business Leadership Coach & Strategic Adviser; Hayley A. Henning, Coloured Gemstone Business Strategist; Andrew Lau, Director of ESG Advisory for Colliers Asia, and Jan Porter, Head of Sustainability at Meiyume, a B2B provider of beauty packaging solutions.
“We express our deepest appreciation to these exceptional individuals who have generously agreed to serve as judges for the Sustainability Awards. Their dedication, deep knowledge and passion for sustainability will ensure a rigorous evaluation process and play a pivotal role in recognising enterprises that are leading the charge for a sustainable world,” said David Bondi, Senior Vice President of Informa Markets in Asia.
The Awards programme has five categories, namely Environmental Stewardship, Social Empowerment, Manufacturing Innovation, Community Engagement and Sustainability Leadership. The submission period for entries commenced on 5 February and will close on 30 April (6pm HKT). Interested parties are encouraged to submit their entries by completing the online nomination forms.
The judges will evaluate and rank the entries according to the Award categories’ predefined criteria and evaluation parameters. The first round of judging is scheduled for May 2024 and the final round of deliberations will take place in July, with the Awardees being publicly announced in the same month.
The Judges
John Mulligan
Director of Market Relations & Climate Change Lead, World Gold Council (WGC)
John Mulligan is Director of Market Relations & Climate Change Lead at the World Gold Council (WGC), leading its climate change and nature research programmes and associated engagement with investors, policy makers and stakeholder organisations. Additionally, he contributes to the organisation’s wider insight and communications outputs to improve understanding of the whole gold supply chain, and the integration of ESG and sustainability considerations into strategic market perspectives. Mulligan also now serves as President of the Sustainable Development Commission of CIBJO (the World Jewellery Confederation), chairs the climate programme of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030 (WJI2030) and is the main convenor of the industry group backing the Gold Industry Declaration of Responsibility & Sustainability Principles. He joined the WGC in early 2005 and has degrees from the University of Sussex and Birkbeck College, University of London.
“The world faces very substantial challenges affecting all sectors of the economy, including the global jewellery industry, and we urgently need to come together to agree how we might collaborate and contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes. It is therefore a pleasure and privilege to be invited to serve on a judging panel, which seeks to identify leaders with forward-thinking initiatives to drive progress on responsible and sustainable business practices,” Mulligan said. “We need such leaders not only to help reshape the industry in response to the shifting expectations and demands of investors, consumers and wider society, but also to inspire others to act with ambition and urgency to help safeguard the planet and its people.”
Nirupa Bhatt
Business Leadership Coach & Strategic Adviser
Nirupa Bhatt, a returning judge of JWA, has over 35 years of experience in the jewellery and gemstone industry. She spent 20 years leading Rio Tinto Diamonds India office before joining GIA as Managing Director in 2008. During her tenure, she was entrusted with establishing GIA’s grading and education facilities in India and the Middle East. Bhatt also founded the India chapter of the Women’s Jewellery Association (WJA). Recognised for her contribution to the Indian gemstone and jewellery industry and in-depth understanding of the global diamond value chain, she is currently an independent consultant and business and leadership coach.
“Responsible businesses adopt and implement processes that minimise adverse impacts on the environment, society and the economy. There are several examples of businesses in the gem and jewellery industry value chain that have embraced sustainable business practices and developed a culture of environmental preservation and protection,” said Bhatt. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve on the judging panel where I can identify and encourage participants that showcase and lead the way in sustainability to further drive industry-wide change. I congratulate the JWA team for their continued efforts in promoting and advocating for the adoption of best practices in the industry.”
Hayley A. Henning
Coloured Gemstone Business Strategist
Hayley A. Henning is the former Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Greenland Ruby, a ruby and pink sapphire mining operation at Aappaluttoq in southwest Greenland. Henning introduced these recently discovered gems as a new and responsible source of rubies from the oldest deposit on earth. In 2018, she founded the Pink Polar Bear Foundation, a Greenland Ruby CSR initiative. Proceeds from the Foundation go toward international polar research in all disciplines, protecting the inhabitants (animal and human) of Greenland who are affected by climate change and accompanying cultural changes. She also made Greenland Ruby the first coloured gemstone mining member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). Previously, Henning served as Executive Director of the Tanzanite Foundation at TanzaniteOne Mining Ltd. Her community initiatives included supporting various schools, orphanages and women’s empowerment projects. Henning’s work and efforts were recognised by the United Nations and CIBJO. She is also the co-author, with jewellery journalist Didier Brodbeck, of “Tanzanite: Born from Lightning.”
“I’m inspired by companies that go above and beyond producing magnificent jewels, to make a difference in the communities that surround mining areas and supply chain operations. They need to be awarded and celebrated for their activities. I can’t wait to see, document and share these successes with one another, and ultimately the consumer, who, more than ever, not only wants to adorn themselves in luxurious jewels, but are more and more interested in knowing exactly how gems and metals are sourced, and the impact this is making in the communities at origin. I’m honoured to be a part of this process,” Henning said.
Andrew Lau
Director of ESG Advisory, Colliers Asia
Andrew Lau has a track record of driving ESG and Sustainability leadership for multinational companies in the Asia-Pacific region for over 20 years. As Director of ESG Advisory at Colliers Asia, he covers a wide range of markets, including Greater China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. Notably, Lau’s delivered projects have resulted in significant energy savings, exceeding 60 GWh of electricity to date. An engineer by training, he holds a Master of Science in Intelligent Building Technologies and Management from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Registered Energy Assessor and LEED (EBOM) and WELL Accredited Professional, among others.
“I am privileged to serve as a judge in this competition. I eagerly anticipate acknowledging pioneers in environmental preservation, social inclusivity, innovative manufacturing, community involvement and sustainable leadership,” Lau said. “The opportunity to evaluate endeavours that safeguard ecosystems, foster equality, propel technological progress, involve communities and surpass conventional ESG practices is truly inspiring. I am thrilled to lend my expertise and commemorate transformative initiatives that pave the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future.”
Jan Porter
Head of Sustainability, Meiyume
Having over 10 years of experience in legal compliance and business strategy across various industries in Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy and Consumer Goods, Jan Porter has led the Meiyume Sustainability department since 2019. In Meiyume, he oversees the sustainability requirements of its operations in the manufacture and trade of its plastic, metals, glass, textile and formulations products across Asia, Europe and the Americas. This includes creating policies and driving actions related to decarbonisation, responsible water use, adoption of sustainable materials, product end-of-life, supply chain transparency, socially responsible supply chains and compliance with emerging legislation.
“Sustainability is a quickly evolving field with innovations being developed by all actors along the value chains across multiple industries. Although these innovations originate from different backgrounds, they converge towards common goals that serve to improve the planet and society. I am excited to participate in judging the various initiatives submitted for the Sustainability Awards 2024 by JWA as this gives us an opportunity to recognise those working on projects for the collective good,” Porter said.
Award Benefits
The sustainability campaign provides a valuable opportunity to assess businesses from a unique perspective, offering meaningful benchmarks for comparison with other initiatives both within and outside the jewellery sector. This evaluation process aids in identifying areas for improvement and potential enhancements, resulting in benefits that extend beyond the Awards programme itself, said Celine Lau, Director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery.
“Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential for the sustainability message to gain traction, and this is where live events like JGA and JGW play a vital role. Our events bring everyone in the industry together like no other,” Lau added.
The Awards programme offers benefits to successful candidates, including the potential for significant global exposure, higher brand awareness and new business connections – all while reinforcing the message of sustainability.
The finalists will be announced during the Media Gathering at Jewellery & Gem ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) on 20 June at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), and the winners will be celebrated during the Fair Reception of the industry’s biggest B2B marketplace – Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) – on 18 September, also at the HKCEC.
More importantly, finalists and winners will receive an exclusive invitation to share their inspiring journeys, challenges and successes in the Sustainability Heroes Panel Series during JGW in September. They will also benefit from extensive coverage across Informa Markets Jewellery’s channels and various social media platforms, both leading up to and following the Awards event.
The Sustainability Awards 2024 by JWA is accepting entries until 30 April (6pm HKT). Those who wish to participate may fill out the online nomination forms at https://www.jwawards.com/nomination-forms/.
