Coming from the financial sector, Adele Jones finds herself today Vice President, watches for DKSH North America, Distributors for Maurice Lacroix and Junghans.

1. Describe briefly your childhood.

I was born in South London and grew up in West London, I was an only child until age 12 and I was a little spoilt.

2. As a child did you have any driving ambition?

Actress and Dancer both of which I accomplished with a modicum of success. I also wanted to be a singer/rapper which I had less success in, mostly due to the fear of stepping out of my comfort zone and then wanting to please other’s expectations of me, rather than following my own dreams

3. What is your first significant memory as a child?

I was a very clumsy and daring child so most of my memories involve injury of some kind. My first memory is of me falling off of my tricycle and splitting my chin open and getting 3 stitches at the age of 5, many more minor injuries followed over the years. I am still clumsy but a little less daring.

4. Have you ever had another profession?

After dancing and acting I moved into accounting at age 24 and I have worked in the field ever since covering everything from Tax Accounting to Controlling. I love the absoluteness of numbers.

5. What made you decide to go in the direction you are currently in?

I love a challenge and my current role challenges my skill set while teaching me more. I like that I am able to use my multitasking skills and touch a lot of specialties from HR to Sales to Horology. You name it and I have probably done it in my current role. Plus, I work in the luxury division and what woman does not like to be surrounded by nice things.

6. What’s the worst job you’ve had to do?

When I first came to the US I got a temporary winter job as a bookkeeper for a one-man business in NJ. He had not done accounting for many years and I was put into a smelly room the size of a closet with boxes and boxes of very old receipts, a very aged computer and no heat. He also paid less than the minimum wage. Apparently, I was not the first temp to only last a week at that location nor do I think I was the last.

7. What’s been the hardest moment in your life so far, and how did you overcome it?

I am a “pick yourself up and dust yourself off” kind of gal so I tend to push forward in spite of my circumstances, however, in 2020 I lost my mother and had to travel to the UK during the pandemic. It was hard being away from my family during this time and being unable to give my mother the homegoing she deserved.

8. Who has had the strongest influence on you?

My parents, the unwavering determination of my mother and endless patience and joy of my father.

9. What are you most proud of?

My children

10. What advice would you give to a 20 something someone thinking of taking a similar path as you?

Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone, do not be afraid to try new things and take EVERY opportunity to travel this great planet.

11. Name three things on your bucket list.

Satisfy my Wanderlust. See the 7 Wonders of the World, I have only visited the Coliseum in Rome so far.

Continue to travel the world with the people I love. I think I have visited about 40 countries to date…many more to go.

Be The Change and Leave a Legacy. Help to implement a Nationwide High School Tax Education Curriculum – this is a big but something I have dreamt about since arriving in the US and I noticed the lack of youth education around this very important subject.

12. Where do you think the watch industry is going to be in 10 years time?

I think the industry is in good shape as long as it continues to look to the future and make appropriate changes to stay relevant. Watches evoke an emotional response, a type of warm nostalgia that cannot be replaced and an authenticity that is as highly regarded now as it will be in the future. Like a fine wine, it will only get better.

To learn more about Adele M. Jones