Industry leaders will reveal strategies behind jewellery businesses that flourish during challenging times in a panel discussion at Jewellery, Gem & Technology in Dubai (JGTD) 2025. 

“Beyond Craftsmanship: The Role of Innovation and Consumer Insights in Sustaining Jewellery Businesses” takes place on November 11 from 3:15pm to 5:15pm at The Golden Stage.

Tawhid Abdulla, chairman of Dubai Jewellery Group (DJG) and CEO of Jawhara Jewellery; Nishith Shah, managing director of La Marquise Jewellery; Ashish Garg, head of Business at KGK Diamonds & Jewellery Middle East; and Lisa Vainio, Market Development and Public Policy lead of the World Gold Council (WGC) will share their insights on key factors affecting today’s jewellery market and how the trade can thrive amid uncertainties. The panel discussion will be moderated by JNA Associate Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Ollie Quiniquini.

Organised by DJG, the session will examine how innovation and deep consumer understanding drive sustainable growth in an era marked by geopolitical uncertainties, global trade tensions and rapidly evolving consumer preferences. 

It will also explore cutting-edge strategies employed by forward-thinking businesses to foster creativity and entrepreneurship while cultivating jewellery appreciation among younger generations and navigating complex market dynamics.

Meet the panellists

Tawhid Abdulla, chairman of the Dubai Jewellery Group and CEO of Jawhara Jewellery

One of the most well-known personalities in the gold and jewellery fraternity in Dubai, Tawhid Abdulla is the chief executive officer of Jawhara Jewellery and the chairman of the Dubai Jewellery Group.

Tawhid’s family has been in the jewellery business since 1907. Along with his two brothers, Tawfique Abdulla and Mohammed Tamjid Abdulla, Tawhid founded Jawhara Jewellery in 2013. A leading wholesaler of 18-, 21- and 22-karat gold and diamond jewellery, Jawhara is now one of the UAE’s largest retail chains with more than 250 outlets all over the world. Tawhid sets the vision, mission and standards for Jawhara Jewellery, which won the prestigious SUPERBRANDS award in 2023. 

A qualified gemmologist, Tawhid has been the Chairman of the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group since 2010. Now known as the Dubai Jewellery Group, this is the largest trade body for the gold and jewellery industry of Dubai with more than 700 members of the city’s jewellery trade. Tawhid also represents the gold and jewellery sector of Dubai in several local and federal government committees and forums. And he actively mentors young Emirati designers and entrepreneurs to enable them to thrive in the gold and jewellery industry in Dubai.

Ashish Garg, head of Business at KGK Diamonds & Jewellery Middle East

An influential voice in the UAE's diamond and jewellery industry, Ashish Garg has over two decades of expertise in global market development, strategy formulation, and trade advocacy. 

As Head of Business at KGK Diamonds & Jewellery Middle East — the Middle East arm of the billion-dollar KGK Group — he has successfully established and expanded operations across key markets in the region, with Dubai as the central hub. A respected industry leader, he has served on the Board of Directors of the Dubai Jewellery Group since 2020 and has been honoured with Dubai's Golden Visa in recognition of his contributions to the diamond and jewellery trade. 

Garg is frequently consulted on matters ranging from trade policy and compliance to market trends and valuations. His active roles include advising Dubai Customs on diamond valuations, guiding High Net Worth Individuals on significant purchases and inheritance valuations, and leading awareness initiatives on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws.  

Nishith Shah, CEO of La Marquise Jewellery

Nishith Shah is the CEO and driving force behind La Marquise Jewellery. He leads the jewellery division with a strategic, founder-first vision, overseeing manufacturing excellence, wholesale growth, and retail innovation. 

Born into the diamond and jewellery industry, Shah gained an innate understanding of its legacy, precision, and evolving dynamics from an early age. He further honed his expertise through business management studies at the American University of Sharjah along with diamond and gemstone qualifications from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), International Gemological Institute (IGI), and HRD Antwerp. 

With a unique blend of industry heritage, technical mastery, and modern leadership, Shah champions innovation rooted in tradition, building a future-focused brand defined by sustainable growth, uncompromising quality, and enduring excellence.

Lisa Vainio, Market Development and Public Policy lead of the World Gold Council

Lisa Vainio is the Market Development and Public Policy Lead of the World Gold Council (WGC). She drives WGC's strategic agenda across the MENA region from its Dubai office, with a focus on advancing market integrity and fostering innovation and responsible practices in the gold and jewellery sector.

Vainio brings deep expertise from senior roles in London-based financial services industry associations, where she shaped global policy on capital markets and services trade. Her earlier career includes positions at the European Commission and Council of the European Union in Brussels. She serves on the board of the Nordic Business Council UAE and is part of the leadership team of Women in AI UAE.

Register for JGTD 2025 today. Click here to view JNA's coverage of the show.