A Mancunian with strong Welsh roots has landed a gem of a job in Wrexham.
Davyd Hobyn, 32, has been appointed as the new manager at the F Hinds jewellery store at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.
He said the move across the border to work in Wales would make his Welsh grandfather proud.
Davyd gets the unusual spelling of his Christian name because his other grandfather was French.
He explained: “Having a Welsh granddad, he was from Cardiff, and a French granddad, ended up with my Christian name being a mixture of the French and Welsh versions of David. Apparently this was done to keep them both happy!
“I am absolutely delighted to have taken over as manager of our Eagles Meadow store.
“My partner, who is expecting our first baby in July, is a primary school teacher in Liverpool. She studied at the university in Wrexham and we intend to find a house in the Wrexham area by the summer.”
Davyd started out as a Christmas temp at F Hinds’ store in the Trafford Centre, in Manchester, while still a student but loved the job so much he stayed on and has more than a decade of experience in the jewellery trade.
He said: “I was actually studying animation at university when I landed a temporary Christmas job. I really enjoyed it and decided to forge a career with F Hinds.
“I was offered a full time role at the Trafford Centre before moving to our Aldershot branch. I became store manager there and later moved to our other stores at Andover, Camberley, Newbury and Bradford before moving back to the Trafford Centre as store manager.
“However, the Wrexham store came up as a possibility and I came over to Eagles Meadow for a look around. It was a bit of love at first sight to be perfectly honest.”
Davyd, who admits to having a passion for watches and diamonds, added: “I just like the way Eagles Meadow shopping centre is set out to be honest and the atmosphere is really pleasant.
“I am really taken with the town and am looking forward to living here with my partner, Lisa Graham, and our first baby.
“I have found the customers to be really nice too. Our Wrexham branch is a new, stylish store in an upcoming shopping area, and I am delighted to join a team that was established from the store’s first day of opening in May 2011.
“We have knowledgeable, well trained and helpful staff and shoppers will be delighted with our modern Eagles Meadow store and the service they will receive, whether selecting a beautiful diamond engagement ring or finding the perfect watch.
“We also offer other services including jewellery valuations, Gold for Cash – plus platinum and silver – with unmatched redemption rates, repairs and watch strap and battery replacements.”
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley was delighted to welcome Davyd to Wrexham.
He said: “The town is a really friendly one and I know from personal experience that you’re made to feel very welcome here.”
