| Goldsmiths | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Founded: | in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
| Hq Location: | Leicester, United Kingdom |
| Area Served: | United Kingdom |
| Parent: | Watches of Switzerland Group Plc |
| Products: | Jewellery, Watches |
| Website: | goldsmiths.co.uk |
Goldsmiths is a luxury jewellery retailer based in the United Kingdom.
The business was founded by Thomas Cooke as the Northern Goldsmiths Company in Blackett Street in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1892.[1] [2] [3]
After selling marine chronometers to the Admiralty during the First World War,[4] the company became the UK’s first appointed stockist of Rolex watches in 1919.[5]
The company acquired Reid & Sons, a business founded in the 18th century, in 1967.[6] It changed its name to The Goldsmiths Group in 1984,[7] and was listed on the London Stock Exchange, before being the subject of a management buyout led by Jurek Piasecki in 1999.[8]
The business was acquired by Alchemy, the investment business founded by Jon Moulton, in 2004,[9] and came under the control of Baugur Group in 2007.[10] [9] It was subsequently merged with Watches of Switzerland and Mappin & Webb, which were also owned by Baugur Group, and went on to form part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2019.[11]
Goldsmiths are a sponsor of the Leicester Tigers Rugby Football Club, sponsoring a stand within the Welford Road stadium[12] and the club's Player of the Month Award.[13]