Royal Affair

Jeweller to the world’s most famous royal families, Garrard & Co has a legacy that would make some French jewellers blush – and it’s only telling its story now, under the tutelage of CEO, Joanne Milner.

- Josh Sims

“IT’S A REAL honour to serve the British royal family – royal families around the world, in fact,” says Joanne Milner, CEO of Garrard & Co, a company established in 1735 and arguably Britain’s most esteemed jeweller. “It adds credibility to our story. And people want a story around what they buy now. If you’re choosing between two classic cars, for example, the fact that one of them used to be owned by a ‘somebody’ helps your decision.”

Milner knows a thing or two about doing the right thing, having previously been the CEO of London-based Debrett’s, the authoritative guide on etiquette and behaviour, founded in 1769. At Debrett’s, she says, she was tasked with giving substance to a name that many people were familiar with, without knowing exactly what the company did. At Garrard it’s a different story. It’s clear what Garrard does – make elegant, refined jewellery (some contemporary, but mostly classic) – for women with a certain financial clout. Pieces range from around £8,000 to £80,000, and while its reputation among the cognoscenti is stellar, it’s not a brand that’s as well-known as it might be.