Family Business Top 100 Recognition For Charlotte Gatward

We are delighted to announce that Charlotte Gatward of Gatwards of Hitchin has been included within the inaugural Family Business United ‘Family Business Top 100,’ which recognises the exceptional contribution of individuals and their work within a family business.

Recognition in respect of:

• Inspirational Leader

• Next Generation Member/Champion

• Family Business Steward

• Multi-Generational Family Business Leader

Gatwards are the oldest independent jewellers in the UK and until lockdown had never closed in 260 years. While devastated to have to shut, nothing was going to stop them bringing some much-loved sparkle in people’s lives.

8th generation Gatward Charlotte worked hard to improve the business’s online service and started offering other services like Click & Collect. A blessing and a curse as their flagship showroom is one of the most beautiful buildings in Hitchin, and people were no longer permitted to step inside (which is all part of the magic).

Charlotte’s a true champion of the high street and regularly appeared on TV talking about how small businesses like hers were tackling the challenge of the pandemic, and fighting to stay in business while global brands like Amazon and the supermarkets were charging ahead.

She inspired her local community and beyond, and it’s down to her true grit and determination that Gatwards is still here today, and hopefully will be for another 260 years!

"Charlotte is an inspirational individual and a positive force within this long standing family firm and is fully deserving of her place within the Family Business Top 100."