Prestige_teamAs one of the UK’s leading pawnbrokers, Prestige Pawnbrokers specialises in providing short-term loans secured against high-value items. Like any successful business, it credits its success to a tight-knit team boasting expertise, passion and an unwavering eye for detail. Here they are!
 
James Constantinou
 
James, a serial entrepreneur, founded Prestige Pawnbrokers in 2009 and has held the position of Managing Director ever since. His expertise is vast and varied, encompassing vintage classic cars, property development, sales and marketing. According to James, “The business is driven by my ability and willingness to say yes when others would say no. I have a thirst for success and a desire to reach new boundaries.” He’s a passionate believer that the key to business success is an insatiable hunger for gain, as opposed to a fear of loss.
 
Jo Lawlor
 
As one of Constantinou’s oldest friends, Jo was a shoe-in for the position of professional pawnbroker. While she now makes a living trading luxury second hand goods, she has a 14-year background in the health and fitness industry. In fact, Jo is a qualified holistic therapist and a lady of many talents!
 
Delyth Du Plooy
 
Hailing from North Yorkshire, Delyth first discovered her interest in jewellery while studying Art and Design. Today she boasts qualifications from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and has travelled extensively in search of diamonds, gems and other rare stones. She considers pawn broking “an ancient trade that is just as relevant in society today as it was in Ancient Rome”.
 
Lawrence Pickett
 
Lawrence has racked up over 30 years of experience in the jewellery trade, with a particular interest in modern, urban and memorabilia pieces. He loves the people-oriented nature of pawnbroking, and gets a thrill out of helping clients turn trinkets into cold hard cash. As a self-confessed history buff, any item with a backstory immediately captures his attention. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that he’s a legitimate descendent of Henry VII!
 
Claudia Valentin
 
This haute-couture loving gal has an undying infatuation with high-end assets, including fine art, jewellery and luxury leather goods. She has a background in bespoke jewellery design and boasts an impressive personal network of contacts. Her eye for detail plays an intrinsic role in her success, and, for her, “appraising brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermès, amongst others, has become second nature”.
 
More about other members of the team in the future posts.