Hardy Brothers
| Company type | Privately owned |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (jewellery, timepieces, decorative arts) |
| Founded | 1853 |
| Founder | John Hardy |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Key people | Stuart Bishop (CEO) |
| Products | Jewellery, timepieces, decorative arts |
| Owner | Wallace Bishop family |
Hardy Brothers is an Australian privately-owned retailer renowned for its exquisite jewellery, timepieces, and decorative arts. Its historic creations are highly sought after by collectors and are part of both state and national museum collections. Notably, it stands as the sole Australian jewellery company to hold a royal warrant and has been responsible for crafting the Melbourne Cup trophy since 1980.
History
The company was established in 1853 by English jeweller John Hardy in Sydney. Two years later, in 1855, it relocated to Hunter Street, where it operated until 1935. Growth continued with the opening of a Queensland store on Brisbane’s Queen Street in 1894, now recognized as the heritage-listed Hardy Brothers Building, followed by a Melbourne branch on Collins Street in 1918.
In 1929, King George V granted Hardy Brothers a royal warrant. The Hardy family maintained ownership until 1974. Subsequently, Qintex acquired the business in 1980, followed by the McKinney family’s takeover in 1988. Since 1997, Wallace Bishop, a family-run enterprise founded in 1917 and spanning four generations, has owned Hardy Brothers. The company is currently managed by CEO Stuart Bishop.
Managing directors
- John Hardy
- Walter Hardy
- Percy Hardy
- Richard Hardy
Chief executives
- Jack Leckie
- Harry Quayle
- Arthur Sims
- John McKinney
- Stuart Bishop
Stores
- 189 Edward Street, Brisbane
- 60 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
- 338 Collins Street, Melbourne
- 47 King Street, Perth
- Shop 2707 Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Gold Coast