Citation for Recognition as Industry Professor – Karl Schwantes
Presented by the Industry Professor Association
Industry Experience
Karl Schwantes brings over two decades of experience in Australia’s luxury retail sector, with a specialisation in bespoke jewellery. As Managing Director of Xennox Diamonds, a second-generation family business founded in 1976, Karl has transformed the company into a national leader in personalised jewellery design and customer experience. Under his direction, Xennox has evolved from a traditional jeweller into an innovative retail destination, offering augmented reality ring design, immersive store experiences, and premium client services tailored to milestone events. His industry career began early—designing jewellery at the age of 12—and has since matured into a full-spectrum role encompassing design, manufacturing, business strategy, and client engagement. In parallel, Karl has extended his influence beyond the jewellery industry through entrepreneurial ventures such as Reputable, an online platform designed to help other businesses improve customer experience and digital reputation. His diverse career demonstrates a breadth of knowledge and longevity of contribution consistent with Industry Professor status.
Industry Endorsement
Karl has earned significant recognition from both his peers and major industry bodies. Xennox Diamonds has been awarded Queensland Wedding Jeweller of the Year for six consecutive years and has been inducted into the Australian Bridal Industry Academy Hall of Fame. The business has also received the title of National Wedding Jeweller of the Year twice, based on extensive client satisfaction ratings and industry benchmarks. As an individual, Karl has been a finalist in the Telstra Business Awards and was awarded the My Business Award for Best Customer Experience in 2020. He is also an award-winning designer, having received national design honours for his creative jewellery work. His insights into retail, customer experience, and emotional branding have been featured on national television and in business forums, further establishing him as a respected leader and authority in the field.
Industry Training
A passionate educator and communicator, Karl has consistently demonstrated a commitment to sharing his knowledge. He is the author of Rock Her World, a bestselling guide to engagement ring buying, which has empowered thousands of consumers with confidence and clarity. He also founded Reputable Academy, a training initiative designed to help business owners build customer-focused practices and earn five-star reviews through service excellence. Karl regularly delivers keynote presentations, workshops, and training sessions for small business owners and industry professionals, covering topics such as customer experience innovation, brand storytelling, and building a service-driven reputation. Through writing, speaking, mentoring, and digital training, Karl has made significant contributions to industry capability development, helping to raise service standards across both the jewellery sector and the broader retail industry.
In recognition of his outstanding career, peer-endorsed excellence, and lasting contribution to professional education, Karl Schwantes is awarded the title of Industry Professor in (Customer Experience Strategy and Digital Reputation Management).
- About the Author
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As CEO of Industry Professor Association, I have a passion for education and learning that leads towards a productive outcome for Industry. The Industry Professor Association is a non-profit organisation that recognises industry expertise and experience and helps members gain the ultimate recognition of their Industry career. We also help organise their industry expertise by converting it into digital learning products and sharing it with a learner hungry world.
As a previous Head of School – Southbank Institute of Technology, it gave me great insight into educational design, corporate client learning needs, government policy and strategies. My goal was to meet the needs of industry in regards to providing graduates who were highly trained in practical skills and employability skills. Whilst meeting the learning style of a generation that is highly engaging with communication channels, and immersed in collaboration to gain learning at their time, place and pace.