HL Brown recognises half century with firm

Famous Sheffield jeweller, HL Brown, is celebrating 50 years’ service to the company by its chairman and former managing director, Michael Frampton. The notable achievement was marked with a presentation at the Sheffield Barker’s Pool flagship store recently by his son and current managing director of the company, James Frampton.
James presented his father with a laptop computer and leather brief case on behalf of HL Brown. On thanking the Company for the gift he commented that having undertaken a computer programming course in 1978 he felt that he may now be able to handle the rather more advanced technology!
Mr Frampton said that the jewellery trade had changed so much in his time where design had become more important and, in many cases, the intrinsic value of jewellery had become secondary. “In the earlier days of the firm it was a daunting experience for many to enter a premier jeweller’s shop and couples would make a joint visit. Now we are seeing many women who visit on their own, since they enjoy the fun of choosing their own jewellery. The only thing that has not changed, in the conduct of our business, is the way in which we guard the confidentiality of each customer’s transactions,” he added.
HL Brown was founded in Sheffield by Harris Brown in 1861 and continues as an independent family business to this day. Harris’s great grandson Michael joined the firm in 1957 and his own son James now represents the fifth generation of the family to enter the business.
James Frampton said: “We are delighted to mark this significant milestone for the company with a presentation to my father who has served HL Brown extremely well for 50 years and who continues to perform the role of chairman with great vigour and enthusiasm.
”Whilst this is truly a family celebration, it is important to note we believe customers of HL Brown receive the best possible quality of service because of our steadfastly independent approach. It would have been easy for us to sell out to a larger chain at many points in our history, but we remain committed to a level of service that we believe only an independent group can provide; hence we are doubly proud of my father’s 50th anniversary with the firm.”
HL Brown has expanded since its inception in 1861 and now comprises nine shops in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, and a buying office in the Antwerp Diamond Club in Belgium.
Michael Frampton was born in Sheffield and educated at Abbotsholme School in Derbyshire. Having qualified as a chartered accountant and gained business experience with the Tube Investments Group in Birmingham, national service with the First Battalion the York and Lancaster Regiment at Suez, he joined the family business. In a career spanning almost 60 years, thus far he has held a number of senior appointments. He was a Justice of the Peace in Sheffield and held a Yorkshire Regional Board appointment with TSB Group. He has been the President of Sheffield & District St John Ambulance Competition Association since 1980 and has held several other senior positions with charitable organisations.
Michael is a long serving Guardian of the Sheffield Assay Office, becoming Executive Guardian in 1988 and has been a co-opted member of the British Hallmarking Council.
In 1994 he served as High Sheriff of South Yorkshire and in 1997 as Master of the London Livery Company of Clockmakers. For further information on HL Brown, visit: www.hl-brown.com or call their Sheffield city centre branch on 0114 272 4388.
Notes to editors
Synonymous with luxury in Sheffield since 1861, HL Brown supplies and cares for jewellery, watches, clocks, and silver for the connoisseur. The company also deals in pre-owned and antique items, in which it has considerable expertise. Jewellery and watch workshops on the premises allow HL Brown to provide a complete service to the customer.

Michael GS Frampton’s full biography is available from BeyondPR. Please e-mail us at info@beyondpr.co.uk if you would like a copy.

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