Amalia Brightley-Gillott
CO-FOUNDER - DAUGHTER - NEXT GENERATION ENTREPRENEUR
Amalia Brightley-Gillott is the co-founder of Irene & Jenny - a modern heirloom jewellery house built on legacy, creativity, and the extraordinary bond between mother and daughter.
A passionate writer, speaker, and brand builder, Amalia isn’t simply following in her mother, Anita's footsteps - she’s walking proudly beside her, shaping a new kind of luxury: personal, powerful, and deeply meaningful.
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With a natural eye for storytelling and an unwavering belief in the power of female-led business, Amalia brings a vibrant energy to everything she touches.
Her work is rooted in emotion - transforming not only jewellery, but the stories we pass down and the futures we create.
Strategist & Experience Curator
While Anita is the creative genius behind the jewellery itself, Amalia is the strategic mind who brings the vision to life and makes things happen. From brand development to client experience, she ensures every detail is executed with elegance and intention.
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With a passion for storytelling and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Amalia is obsessed with creating an exceptional, seamless journey for every client.
She has a deep understanding of what it means to work with discerning women - and makes it her mission to ensure each one feels heard, understood, and celebrated.
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At the heart of her role is the desire to give clients the space to share their stories - their memories behind their most treasured pieces - and transform them into something truly extraordinary.
For Amalia, luxury is not just about beauty. It’s about meaning, service, and moments you’ll never forget.
Entrepreneurial Roots & Career
Before founding Irene & Jenny, Amalia was the Managing Director of Family Business Place, a national events and publishing firm championing family-owned companies across the UK.
During her tenure, she worked closely with some of Britain’s most successful and renowned business leaders - including Lord Bilimoria, Jacqueline Gold OBE, Sir Ken Morrison, Judy Bell MBE, Dame Stephanie Shirley, Helen Gibson MBE, and many more.
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It was through these connections - and especially the incredible, trailblazing women she met - that Amalia found deep inspiration to carve her own path. Their stories of resilience, creativity and grit lit a fire in her to create something meaningful and lasting.
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A multi-award-winning entrepreneur, she was named ‘Family Business Director of the Year’ by the Institute of Directors, and was runner-up for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the West Country Women’s Awards.
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Today, she pours all that insight and passion into Irene & Jenny - building a luxury brand with soul, designing heirloom jewellery that speaks to the heart and stands the test of time.
Motherhood & Redefining Success
For Amalia, becoming a mother was both life-changing and deeply humbling. After experiencing severe postnatal depression with both of her sons, she felt a powerful pull to create a life that honoured both her role as a parent and her passion as an entrepreneur.
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Irene & Jenny was born from that desire - to build something meaningful, sustainable, and rooted in love. Named after her two grandmothers, both remarkable women in their own right, the brand is a tribute to the strength, wisdom, and quiet elegance of the matriarchs who came before.
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Her Chinese grandmother, Jenny - born Li Tong Wong - came from a world where heirlooms were not just beautiful, but sacred: passed down from mother to daughter as symbols of continuity and care. Reconnecting with that heritage has been deeply personal for Amalia, weaving together identity, ancestry and purpose.
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Now, as she raises her own children, Amalia is determined to create a legacy of strength and softness - where women are celebrated, mothers are supported, and every story is honoured through jewellery designed to last for generations.
A voice for women in business
A compelling and in-demand speaker, Amalia is known for her honesty, warmth, and ability to connect with audiences — whether she's addressing hundreds at a business conference or sharing insights with a small group of women around a table.
She speaks openly, with passion and purpose, about the realities of entrepreneurship, the challenges of motherhood, and the unique strength of women building businesses on their own terms.
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Her keynote topics include:
– Women in business and leadership
– Entrepreneurship and resilience
– Next-generation voices in family business
– Personal branding and creative storytelling
– Mental health, identity, and motherhood
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What makes Amalia’s voice so powerful is that it’s rooted in lived experience. She has spent the past decade building businesses from scratch, working with some of the UK’s most renowned business leaders, and navigating the complexities of growing a company while growing a family.
She brings humour, vulnerability, and real insight - especially for the next generation of ambitious women finding their voice in a world still catching up.
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She is also the founder of the Hartnoll Collective, a powerful network of extraordinary women in the South West. Together, they share opportunities, open doors, offer support, and grow - as individuals, as business owners, and as women who believe in lifting one another up.
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For Amalia, speaking isn’t just about the stage — it’s about creating spaces where stories are heard, ideas are shared, and women leave feeling inspired, stronger, and seen.
We would be delighted
to hear from you
To discuss transforming your heirloom jewellery into a beautiful, new piece please get in touch with our Co-Founder, Amalia, who will be happy to talk through your ideas.
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We are based in beautiful Devon, UK but work with clients globally. All design consultations can be either in-person or virtually, wherever you are in the world. ​​​
07590 830 001 - call us or send a photo of your jewellery by Whatsapp
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One-of-a-kind, bespoke jewellery creations starting at £12,000 / $16,000