Famed U.K. Designer Kit Heath Dies

By Rob Bates | October 03, 2025

Kit Heath, founder of the U.K. silver jewelry brand that bears his name, died of brain cancer on Sept. 26, less than three months after he was diagnosed with the disease in July. He was 69.

Heath’s love of jewelry began while he was still in school and would melt down family candlesticks to create silver pieces for family and friends. He started his business by selling items out of the back of his Volkswagen camper.

In 1985, Heath founded his eponymous company along with his sister, Katie Nickell. The siblings’ designs were inspired by the coast and landscape of their home in North Devon, England.

“Kit was known for his charm, charisma, and trailblazing spirit, which helped bring silver jewelry and retail customer service to a new level in the 1980s,” the company said in a statement. “A true pioneer in the U.K. jewelry industry, he combined creative vision with an unwavering passion for beautifully designed sterling silver…. He built a brand that became synonymous with quality, elegance, and contemporary British design.”

In recent years, Heath had stepped back from day-to-day management of the business. Nickell now serves as its managing director.

“Kit’s legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of everything we do,” said Nickell in the statement. “We remain committed to honoring my brother’s vision.”

The Heath brand has won numerous awards, including Professional Jeweller’s 2024 Collection of the Year award for silver jewelry.

In addition to Nickell, Heath is survived by his wife, Lizzie, and their four children—Annabel, Ollie, Alex, and Mimi.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Brain Tumour Charity and North Devon Hospice via funeral directors W.S. Gayton & Son.

(Photo courtesy of Anti Copying in Design)