How Victoria Houghton is leading Hamilton & Inches through its 160th anniversary and beyond

As Hamilton & Inches prepares to celebrate a monumental 160 years in business, the Scottish jewellery house's CEO Victoria Houghton talks about the historic brand values that guide her stewardship of the company and how she's future-proofing the brand for the next 160 years.

Walpole: You joined Hamilton & Inches in 2018, and have served as CEO since 2019. What has been your single proudest achievement leading the company?

Victoria Houghton: My proudest achievement has been strengthening Hamilton & Inches for the long term while staying true to its heritage - investing in our people, our workshops, and our Scottish craft traditions, while also evolving the business for a modern luxury audience. 

In 2020, our store in Edinburgh underwent a major refurbishment programme, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the company’s position within the contemporary luxury market. While remaining true to our heritage, we elevated the client experience to reflect our values and the expectations of modern-day luxury, and I was so proud to see us taking that step in becoming Scotland’s house of luxury. This transformation extended beyond the physical space, informing a renewed approach to our packaging and overall brand identity, ensuring every client touchpoint consistently reflected our craftsmanship, values, and ambition.

While these changes were highly visible and client-facing, I also restructured our leadership team behind the scenes. As the first female CEO in H&I’s long history, I am proud to say that many of our senior leadership roles are now held by women, in an industry that has historically been predominantly male-led. 

And finally, seeing the team recognised at the Walpole British Luxury Awards last year was a huge moment for us, not to mention how rewarding it's been to see our Masterpiece collections resonate with new generations of clients and customers overseas. So much work goes into each collection, and to be recognised within such a field of talent and expertise felt extra special. 

This year Hamilton & Inches celebrates its 160th anniversary. What are the historic principles and values that continue to guide your leadership?

Craftsmanship, integrity, and provenance have defined Hamilton & Inches since 1866, and they remain central to how I lead today. Sourcing responsibly, creating pieces designed to last, and placing enormous value on skills and expertise. Those principles are timeless, and they provide a strong foundation for innovation. Equally important is trust in, and the cultivation of, a strong and loyal team to consistently deliver these principles at the highest level.

What do you have planned for the big anniversary year? 

As we approach this milestone, our focus is firmly on looking ahead and building for the next 160 years. We will be marking the year with special collections, rich storytelling around our heritage, and elevated client experiences. While we can’t reveal too much just yet, our 160th year will also see the launch of a major expansion – a significant milestone that will further strengthen our position as a leading destination for luxury retail in the UK. Everything we do will honour where we have come from, while confidently and purposefully shaping the future of the brand. 

This autumn you launch a new jewellery line – can you tell us more about that? 

The new collection is a natural evolution of our Scottish River Pearl Masterpiece collection, launched in November 2025. While that collection celebrated exceptional rarity and refinement, this new line embraces a different expression of beauty, spotlighting the more individual, characterful Scottish River Pearls within our collection. Less uniform yet no less captivating, each pearl tells its own story.

Launching in spring, we are also busy working on an exciting collaboration with Le Kilt. Sam McCoach, founder and designer of Le Kilt, has created a six-piece jewellery collection for us, crafted in precious metals and set with our more characterful Scottish River Pearls. Designed to celebrate individuality, modern Scottish design, and heritage craftsmanship, the pieces allow the organic forms of the pearls to guide the design, resulting in jewellery that feels expressive, contemporary, and reflects the principles of both our brands.

From your experience, what do you think is important to the luxury customer in 2026, and how is Hamilton & Inches delivering this? 

Luxury customers today seek authenticity, meaning, and connection. They also value individuality and rarity, caring deeply about where things come from, who made them, and why they matter. At Hamilton & Inches, we deliver this through transparency, craftsmanship, and personal relationships, alongside bespoke services, limited collections, and opportunities for personalisation. 

This approach allows us to offer pieces with genuine provenance and stories that resonate on an emotional level. Our Scottish Gold and Scottish River Pearl collections are perfect expressions of this philosophy, showcasing materials sourced in Scotland and crafted with meticulous care, resulting in pieces that are unique, meaningful, and unmistakably luxurious.

What is something that luxury customers care about now that wasn’t on your radar when you started as CEO in 2019? 

When I became CEO in 2019, sustainability and ethical responsibility were important, but the depth of interest from luxury customers today is something that has grown far beyond what was on my radar at the time. Clients now expect brands not only to act responsibly, but to articulate that clearly, credibly, and with complete transparency.

What has also evolved is how customers want to engage with luxury. The experience is no longer purely transactional; it is increasingly akin to hospitality, with blurred lines between luxury retail, food and drink, and immersive experiences. Clients value being welcomed into the world of the brand through workshops, behind-the-scenes access, and limited collaborations and partnerships that feel personal and unique.

This shift has encouraged us to think more holistically about how we bring the Hamilton & Inches experience to our clients, creating moments of connection, storytelling, and discovery, alongside exceptional craftsmanship and product. In doing so, we’ve strengthened not only trust in the brand, but the emotional loyalty that defines modern luxury.

What is your core personal philosophy as a CEO? 

To lead by example. I believe that trust is fundamental – when I give trust, I expect it in return – and that with transparency, respect, and open communication, there should be no surprises. Challenges can always be worked through when those principles are in place.

I lead with clarity, curiosity, and respect. Curiosity is particularly important to me: staying open to new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities allows both the business and the people within it to evolve. I believe in empowering talented individuals, listening carefully, and making decisions that balance commercial success with long-term stewardship. As CEO of a heritage brand, my responsibility is not only to grow the business, but to protect and thoughtfully evolve it for the next generation.

What do you think defines true luxury in 2026? 

True luxury today is about time, care, and intention. It is experiential and a pleasure to purchase, found in exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and experiences that feel personal rather than transactional. Above all, it is about creating objects of enduring value - pieces that will be cherished, worn, and passed on. Whenever we create a collection, we do so with the hope that these pieces will become the heirlooms of the next generation. 

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