Discussing family businesses, Catriona spoke about the value of having the right advisers in your corner, the importance of succession planning, and when to begin those often difficult conversations. 

“It’s important to sit back and take stock, at least once a year. Think of your business in decades and stages, at every one of those stages it’s worth thinking about what your business destination is.” 

Having a trusted adviser with you on your business journey will make those check-ins more valuable. “We are there for every stage of your business, helping you with all the big decisions,” Catriona said. 

She also highlighted the importance of planning ahead and considering the future of a business long before key decisions become urgent. 

“When it comes to succession planning those conversations may be difficult but it’s important that they happen before they become urgent.” 

Throughout her conversation with Ciara, Catriona emphasised the importance of preparing for both personal and business futures. 

“The strongest outcome is rarely accidental,” she said. 

As this was the first dinner to be held in the gallery, chef Mark Moriarty created a memorable menu featuring his much-talked-about baked potato sourdough bread, which quickly became a favourite among guests. 

The meal began with a trio of snacks: a pissaladière shortbread topped with Ortiz anchovy; a tartlet of preserved tomato with labneh and seaweed; and Moriarty’s refined take on steak frites, a bite-sized deep-fried potato topped with steak tartare, caviar and gold leaf. 

These were followed by celeriac baked in bread, steamed cod with shellfish paella, and dry-aged Viera Wagyu beef served as cheek and sirloin. 

Dessert was a striking dish of Vietnamese Mekonga 70% chocolate, sourced in Paris, served with roasted vanilla ice cream and tamarind. 

Sophie and Nicholas Appleby.

After dinner, Ciara was joined by Nicholas and Sophie Appleby, two members of the third generation of the Appleby family to join the renowned Dublin jeweller. 

They discussed what it is like to be part of an iconic family business, the influence their grandmother Peggy had on their lives, and how they are continuing to evolve the brand for the future. 

Sophie spoke warmly about her grandmother and the origins of the business. 

“Peggy started the business at her kitchen table, making jewellery for a small circle in the 1950s, as the business grew Peggy and our grandfather John moved the business to the shop in Johnson’s Court where we still are today. Our grandmother had a very special way with people, it didn’t matter where you were from, she was interested in you and your story and wanted to know all about you.” 

“You could be from Oliver Bond Street or Bond Street in London and she would treat you exactly the same,” Nicholas continued. 

When it came to joining the family business, both Nicholas and Sophie initially considered different paths. Nicholas was going to become “thegreatest rock and roll guitarist in the world”, while Sophie contemplated a career in teaching, but diamonds ultimately won out and brought them both to Johnson’s Court. 

The next generation has the future firmly in mind and has introduced an Entrepreneurial Operating System, allowing the cousins involved in the business to work within a clear structure while maintaining strong family bonds. 

Like any successful company, succession planning remains a priority for Appleby, something Sophie knows is essential. 

“It’s a hard thing to think about because succession planning has a certain connotation but it is a reality and we do have to have those conversations and put a plan in place,” she said. 

Continuing to build on what Peggy started all those years ago remains central to the family’s vision. 

“We are 70 years old this year and we try to keep Peggy’s values in everything we do. We’re not putting our own stamp on things as much as we’re trying to continue her remarkable legacy,” Nicholas said. “We have to lead from the front. You can’t expect people to do things that you wouldn’t do yourself.” 

As the evening drew to a close, guests had the opportunity to view an exquisite collection of jewellery brought along by Nicholas and Sophie’s colleagues. Under the gallery lights, diamonds sparkled as guests admired and tried on exceptional rings and bracelets. 

“We are involved in people’s lives when they’re marking wonderful milestones,” Sophie explained. “They come to us when they’re celebrating something special. It’s an incredible honour to be a part of that and it’s something we don’t take lightly.” 

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