Latest news with #Walpole
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.
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.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crop science in the spotlight as new trials site hosts open day
Crop trials showcasing wheat varieties and the latest disease control strategies will be shown to farmers at an open day in west Norfolk. The Bayer Field Day in Walpole on July 3 takes place at the company's new Norfolk demonstration site, inviting farmers, agronomists and industry stakeholders to "explore the latest advancements in crop science and sustainable farming practices". Trial plots will compare wheat varieties from the Recommended List (RL) and RL candidates, giving the opportunity to assess how they perform under real-world conditions. Meanwhile, fungicide trials will highlight both current and future chemistry aimed at tackling yield-damaging infections like septoria, yellow rust, and brown rust. Another key topic is grass-weed control, discussing strategies for slowing the progress of resistance, while optimising efficacy. In addition to the demonstrations, there will be static displays and a chance to speak to Bayer experts. The event takes place from 10am on July 3 at Pear Tree Farm, Mill Road, Walpole, near King's Lynn, PE14 7QJ. The last tour will be at 3pm. Food and refreshments will be available. For further information visit
