Seiko UK managing director passes away
David Edwards, managing director of Seiko UK since 2018, has sadly passed away after a long battle with illness.
Seiko UK’s obituary to its former leader is published below, in full:
We’re very sad to announce the passing of Mr David Edwards, Managing Director of Seiko UK.
David will be very sadly missed by his wife Melissa, children Tom and Sophie, his parents, and all those who were lucky to have worked with him.
Born in North Wales in 1968, inherently proud of his Welsh roots, David often talked of ‘hiraeth’ — the nostalgic feeling for his homeland. A keen skier and enthusiastic sailor, he possessed Royal Yachting Association certificates and often went on yachting adventures around the globe.
David began his career in sales at Rubbermaid, following his Business Studies and Marketing degree at Birmingham City University. Progressing onto Raleigh bikes, whilst there he completed his CIM Postgrad in Marketing and later an MBA at Nottingham Business School. Then came his move into watches and Jewellery — to Swatch Group first, onto Technomarine watches, Tolkowsky diamonds then as MD to Richard Mille and finally as Managing Director of Seiko UK.
From selling washing up bowls to luxury watches, he put his all into everything and made sure the customer was front and centre — whether negotiating with a retail partner or securing the right private jet for a watch collector. David seemed to know every corner of the UK and beyond — from a small jeweller in Jersey to the backstreets of Milan.
Under his compelling leadership, Seiko UK reclaimed its place at the forefront of the UK watch industry — with his Senior team, he was very proud of winning the watchpro 2021 Executive Leadership team of the year award, which recognised the passion for brand storytelling and strong retail partnerships he instilled in his people
Equally at home in Geneva’s La Réserve or the lesser known Birmingham post-pub hangout of Mr Egg, David was blessed with a searing intelligence often described as ‘so sharp he could cut himself.’ Keeping track of his belongings, however, was a skill which eluded him. Chasing down his glasses left on a plane or in a pub, or his laptop in an airport was nearly a full time job, but somehow most things made their way back to him.
David’s rarity was in his highly attuned emotional intelligence — every member of the business had his ear and he welcomed lively debate — although he knew the final decision was his, which he never shied away from. He would also never shy away from tearing a strip off someone for being late or impolite — two of his pet hates, but he always credited hard work and remembered the things that were important to his team.
‘Dynamic decisions’ were a signature move; to others known as ‘u-turns’ but in the typical David way, those fast-paced lastminute transformations would turn a sketchy plan into a success.
Famous for his passion for karaoke, by rights this tribute should weave some of his party pieces in — but ‘Man I feel like a woman,’ ‘Islands in the stream,’ and those dancefloor moves to Britney Spears will be indelibly seared in many memories.
Watches and Wonders in Geneva was David’s favourite event — he was so sad to miss this year’s show; the people, the smart clothes, the gossip, the important business meetings over a coffee snatched between appointments. Often he pushed what seemed like impossible projects over the line in the gaps between the schedule — as his team would fondly say ‘David’s gone rogue again,’ but he was always, always at the centre of it all.
