Latest news with #Fortnum&Mason
Fashion United
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
Walpole names Fortnum & Mason CEO as chair
Luxury trade association Walpole has named Tom Athron as its new chair, a role he will take up from July 1. Athron, who currently serves as chief executive of Fortnum & Mason, will succeed Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods, who is stepping down after finishing the maximum tenure of nine years. Ward will continue on in the newly created advisory role of president Emeritus. In a statement, Athron said of his appointment: 'It is a privilege to take on the role of chair at Walpole. I look forward to working closely with chief executive Helen Brocklebank, the board and our members to continue advancing Walpole's mission to promote, protect and develop the British luxury sector both in the UK and internationally.' Athron has helmed Fornum & Mason since December 2020, prior to which he served as chief operating officer at MatchesFashion, where he led the global scaling of the business. He had also spent 13 years at John Lewis Partnership, where he held several senior positions, including on the main board. His appointment at Walpole comes at a turbulent time for the UK's luxury sector, which has faced impact from the pandemic, the removal of VAT-free shopping, Brexit and other supply chain disruptions. In the organisation's latest report, 'Trading with Europe', it was stated that while the sector is projected to reach 125 billion pounds by 2028, fashion and accessories from the UK experienced a 64 percent decline in exports to the EU. Walpole thus called on the UK government to mitigate such impact by initiating a number of strategies, including the introduction of a new digital labelling scheme, to join the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention on Rules of Origin, secure a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement and bring together freight companies to create consistency in trade rules.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Win Fortnum's hamper, Wimbledon prizes and John Lewis voucher
Three exclusive competitions are now open, offering rewards for foodies, tennis fans and those in need of a summer shopping spree. Luxury hamper from Fortnum & Mason The top prize in the luxury competition is a Marylebone Hamper from Fortnum & Mason, packed with gourmet treats and classic British favourites. It includes Piccadilly Piccalilli, Smoked Cheese Straws, Green Tomato Chutney and a tempting collection of sweet snacks such as Chocolossus Biscuits, Shortbread, White Chocolate Florentines and more. There's also breakfast fare including marmalade, honey, and preserves, along with a smart tea caddy containing three classic blends and a matching strainer. Coffee lovers can enjoy Fortnum's Piccadilly Blend Ground Coffee, while a bottle of Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne N.V. adds a celebratory flourish. Wimbledon collector's edition up for grabs Tennis lovers could get their hands on The Pinnacle of Sport – Deluxe Edition, a limited-edition book celebrating Wimbledon. Only 400 copies have been produced, each one presented in an elegant box with a signed art print from former British No.1 Tim Henman. The 252-page book is packed with photographs capturing the drama and tradition of The Championships. Five runners-up will each receive a 700ml Wimbledon water bottle featuring a bold tennis ball design. £250 John Lewis voucher in shopping prize A third competition offers one lucky subscriber a £250 John Lewis eGift Voucher – perfect for refreshing the home, updating a wardrobe or picking up something special. Known for its high standards and stylish selection, John Lewis remains one of the UK's most trusted shops. How to enter All competitions are open exclusively to subscribers. To be in with a chance, visit the competitions page and submit your entry.
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tom Athron is new Walpole chair as Michael Ward becomes president emeritus
Walpole has named Fortnum & Mason CEO Tom Athron as its new chair, succeeding Harrods MD Michael Ward who moves to a new advisory role. The body that represents British luxury brands said Ward steps down 'after serving the maximum tenure of nine successful years as chair' but clearly isn't cutting his close ties to the group as he takes on a newly created advisory role as president emeritus. Athron has led luxury-foods-focused Fortnum & Mason since December 2020 and before that was COO at Matchesfashion. He also spent 13 years at the John Lewis Partnership. One of his roles there was group development director on the main board, founding its innovation arm, JLP Ventures. He takes up his additional job this week and said it's a 'privilege' to take on a task to 'promote, protect, and develop the British luxury sector, both in the UK and internationally'. Meanwhile, Ward added: 'Over what has been an exceptionally turbulent nine years for business, I am incredibly proud of the role Walpole has played in shaping public perceptions of British luxury and in championing the sector. Thanks to this work, our industry is now well positioned for continued recognition and growth. My warmest congratulations to Tom, I am delighted he has agreed to take on the role of chair and sincere thanks also go to Walpole's board and to [CEO Helen Brocklebank]. I am honoured to become president emeritus and to continue supporting the upward trajectory of both Walpole and the sector as a whole.' Ward also remains president of the European Creative and Cultural Industries Alliance (ECCIA), the group that brings together all the European luxury associations under one umbrella. That role runs until January 2026 when Walpole's two-year rolling presidency ends.
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tom Athron is new Walpole chair as Michael Ward becomes president emeritus
Walpole has named Fortnum & Mason CEO Tom Athron as its new chair, succeeding Harrods MD Michael Ward who moves to a new advisory role. The body that represents British luxury brands said Ward steps down 'after serving the maximum tenure of nine successful years as chair' but clearly isn't cutting his close ties to the group as he takes on a newly created advisory role as president emeritus. Athron has led luxury-foods-focused Fortnum & Mason since December 2020 and before that was COO at Matchesfashion. He also spent 13 years at the John Lewis Partnership. One of his roles there was group development director on the main board, founding its innovation arm, JLP Ventures. He takes up his additional job this week and said it's a 'privilege' to take on a task to 'promote, protect, and develop the British luxury sector, both in the UK and internationally'. Meanwhile, Ward added: 'Over what has been an exceptionally turbulent nine years for business, I am incredibly proud of the role Walpole has played in shaping public perceptions of British luxury and in championing the sector. Thanks to this work, our industry is now well positioned for continued recognition and growth. My warmest congratulations to Tom, I am delighted he has agreed to take on the role of chair and sincere thanks also go to Walpole's board and to [CEO Helen Brocklebank]. I am honoured to become president emeritus and to continue supporting the upward trajectory of both Walpole and the sector as a whole.' Ward also remains president of the European Creative and Cultural Industries Alliance (ECCIA), the group that brings together all the European luxury associations under one umbrella. That role runs until January 2026 when Walpole's two-year rolling presidency ends.
Fashion Network
3 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tom Athron is new Walpole chair as Michael Ward becomes president emeritus
Walpole has named Fortnum & Mason CEO Tom Athron as its new chair, succeeding Harrods MD Michael Ward who moves to a new advisory role. The body that represents British luxury brands said Ward steps down 'after serving the maximum tenure of nine successful years as chair' but clearly isn't cutting his close ties to the group as he takes on a newly created advisory role as president emeritus. Athron has led luxury-foods-focused Fortnum & Mason since December 2020 and before that was COO at Matchesfashion. He also spent 13 years at the John Lewis Partnership. One of his roles there was group development director on the main board, founding its innovation arm, JLP Ventures. He takes up his additional job this week and said it's a 'privilege' to take on a task to 'promote, protect, and develop the British luxury sector, both in the UK and internationally'. Meanwhile, Ward added: 'Over what has been an exceptionally turbulent nine years for business, I am incredibly proud of the role Walpole has played in shaping public perceptions of British luxury and in championing the sector. Thanks to this work, our industry is now well positioned for continued recognition and growth. My warmest congratulations to Tom, I am delighted he has agreed to take on the role of chair and sincere thanks also go to Walpole's board and to [CEO Helen Brocklebank]. I am honoured to become president emeritus and to continue supporting the upward trajectory of both Walpole and the sector as a whole.' Ward also remains president of the European Creative and Cultural Industries Alliance (ECCIA), the group that brings together all the European luxury associations under one umbrella. That role runs until January 2026 when Walpole's two-year rolling presidency ends.
