The appointment was announced to members by email on 19 December. Kotzman is a partner at P&B Law based in Melbourne, with a background in property and commercial law. The announcement also noted his experience working with not-for-profit organisations and community-based boards.
Kotzman has been appointed to the board as a ‘co-opted director’, a position typically held by someone with specialised knowledge or an outside view of the industry.
This external perspective can be helpful in guiding deliberations. As part of the statement, Kotzman said he aimed to use his experience strengthen the JAA.
“The JAA plays an important role in representing and supporting the Australian jewellery industry. I look forward to contributing my experience to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities to members and the broader industry,” he said.
President Joshua Sharp said Kotzman’s experience in governance matters would be a valuable asset to the JAA.
“Lindsay brings deep expertise in governance, regulatory matters and strategic risk, which will be a valuable addition to the Board as the JAA continues to navigate a complex and evolving industry environment,” Sharp said.
Kotzman’s appointment as a co-opted director expands the JAA board to seven.
His appointment follows the resignation of Meredith Doig, who joined the board as co-opted director in September 2022. She resigned in April 2025; however, her appointment was not without controversy.
Doig promotes herself as a board governance expert and her JAA profile page listed her as a 'Professional Company Director & Consultant'.
At the time of her appointment, she told Jeweller she was approached by the JAA because there was a need for someone ‘outside the jewellery industry’ to provide this expertise.
However, it was later discovered that Doig was a friend of fellow JAA director, and vice president, Ronnie Bauer.
It was also discovered that, according to Australian Security Investments Commission records, Doig was the company secretary of one of Bauer’s businesses, raising questions about the validity of her supposed independence.
None of this information was made public in the JAA’s media release announcing Doig’s appointment.
The seven member board consists of: Sharp, as president, Ronnie Bauer (Klepners) as vice-president, treasurer Daniel Anania (Anania Jewellers), Jay Bartlett (Bartlett Master Jewellers), Stephen Schneider (Stephen’s Jewellers) and industry retiree Mary Storch.
The question still remains whether this increase in board numbers is representative of the industry given there are no directors representing the manufacturing, wholesaling, or distribution sectors. Five directors own or operate small retail operations, and one has not worked in the industry for more than 20 years.
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