Kit Heath: British jewellery brand celebrates 40th year

When I speak to Katie Nickell, 59, she is in the middle of the Devon countryside driving around looking for a location for a model shot... it’s a ‘depressingly, dull, grey day’, in complete contrast to her bright, stylish jewellery.

Her name might not immediately be recognisable, but Katie is part of the sibling duo that founded Kit Heath. Named after her brother, it is synonymous with classic silver jewellery, timeless British style and coastal allure.

‘We have just launched a lovely collection with rope twists; we are calling it Marina,’ she enthusiastically tells me. The nautical collection harks back to the company’s Celtic-inspired roots.

Katie Nickell with her brother Kit Heath. (Image: Alex Stoneman Advertising Photography) ‘It was how we started,’ says Katie. ‘Years ago, when my brother started making things, the basic designs were silver wire that you could twist and wrap round, making rings, toe rings and bangles. One of the pieces, a ring which is really stunning called reef knot, is taken from a ring that I had when I was about 12.’

It is a journey that began 40 years ago in 1984. Hailing from North Devon, the family settled in Broadhempston on the edge of Dartmoor.

Kit fell into the jewellery business by chance. One of four siblings, the 18-year-old was planning to go into the Merchant Navy. While waiting to hear, he got job at a silversmith in Torquay, making at a bench.

Designs include natural elements including, leaves, bees and pebbles. (Image: Alex Stoneman Advertising Photography) His creative spark was evident early on when he decided to ‘recycle’ the family candlesticks by melting them down. Katie laughs at the memory. ‘Mum was okay as she got a couple of bangles out of it and a ring or two.’

Bringing his designs to life, Kit began travelling around the South West in his VW campervan, stopping off, selling his creations and surfing. As demand grew, he started selling jewellery from other artisans but found that supply what not always regular. Taking a leap of faith, he began buying and importing from the Far East.

Meanwhile Katie would help him when he went off travelling and going out on the road. Despite being known as the ‘annoying little sister’ – there’s an age gap of nine years - they decided to work together and create their own designs. ‘It meant that we could control the quality and really get an individual look,’ says Katie.

The Heath family - Kit is top left (wearing his love beads) and Katie in the centre showing off her new shoes. Katie Nickell (Image: Alex Stoneman Advertising Photography) It was the beginning of a lifelong passion for creating original silver jewellery. ‘I was the one wanting to design things and have them photographed beautifully while Kit was the one who would sell. It was a real family effort. My sister Francesca was also involved at the time and mum would answer the phone in the early days.

‘We used to work from our Devon longhouse; we would all work in the office, getting orders out, but Kit was very much the front guy, he was very charismatic, liked to sell and built the business up while I worked behind the scenes.’

It was no doubt fuelled by their Army-trained father who had a business in the motor trade in Torquay. ‘I think if you have a family that run their own business, there’s an easier understanding of what it takes. When it’s your own company you have to give 100 per cent otherwise you can’t expect anyone else to really. I have always felt that it’s an extension of your life. You think about it even when you walk out the door.’

Katie works with designers to create the stunning collections. (Image: Alex Stoneman Advertising Photography) As a family, the siblings have remained close and all four have worked in the business in various ways. Francesca now has retail jewellery shops stocking the brand. Sadly, they lost their brother, Stevie – also a talented silversmith; Katie still has a black agate ring that he made.

‘You have to be close to work with a sibling,’ says Katie. ‘We are hugely competitive, always trying to outdo each other. In the early days we would always argue over whose idea it was.’

Describing herself ‘unconventional, imaginative, and tenacious, Katie uses her artistic flair and despite not formally studying design, instinctively knows what will work. She now heads up the company as Kit has stepped back and as creative director plays a pivotal role in each design, making beautiful pieces for each collection. ‘I work with two or three designers and direct them. It is often very organic in the way the design is created.

Katie with her brother Kit Heath in the early days of the business. (Image: Kit Heath) What makes Kit Heath distinctive is it's not glitzy and jangly, it’s beautifully understated and subtly designed. Although they mix sterling silver with some gold plate they have resisted introducing gold to the collection. ‘Silver is our absolute who we are,’ adds Katie.

‘Having said that, you have to do things that are on the edge of what your consumer will want. Our customers want to be relevant but like good design and good quality.

‘I think one of my favourites is the Alicia collection, it’s so distinctive, curvaceous and intertwined and not really like anything else. It's really got longevity and I love it.’

Marina rope T-bar necklace and earrings from the Marina collection. (Image: Alex Stoneman Advertising Photography) Although based in Barnstaple, for four years they also had a shop and design studio in Covent Garden. ‘Twenty years ago we had to be seen to be associated with London to be taken seriously. It's different now, Devon is slower but we love it. We feel so lucky that we can run a business that is competing globally. We are really proud of our South West roots and we are so lucky to be based here.’

Their journey underscores the support and collaboration that siblings can offer each other and family remains key. ‘We do a lot of family stuff, go on holidays together and are a great dog walking family with six dogs between us all.’

Katie shares her home in Barnstaple nestled in a valley on a trout farm with her husband, three children aged 19, 21 and 22, three dogs, visiting otters and a few thousand trout! Favourite areas are Putsborough beach, Woolacombe beach and Exmoor. ‘It’s a beautiful setting in a valley. Where we live we can be half an hour on the top of Exmoor or less than half an hour on the beach.’

This year with the theme of kindness and connection to celebrate its milestone, the company has collaborated with Hello! magazine donating 500 pieces of jewellery to Smart Works, a charity assisting women seeking employment. It will also be supporting North Devon Hospice, Children’s Hospice South West and Families in Grief.

They have come a long way since the early days and now employ around 30 people. ‘Reaching 40 years is a testament to the enduring support and connections we've built over the decades and the ability to respect each other's strengths and weaknesses. We also owe our longevity to the incredible individuals who have been part of our journey,’ says Katie.

‘I feel fortunate to do what I love daily.’

kitheath.com