Walpole has appointed Harrods managing director Michael Ward as its chairman, who will replace Ben Hughes at the luxury brands trade body. 

Hughes, the Financial Times’ deputy chief executive, is stepping down after four years as chairman of Walpole.

Ward, who has held his position at Harrods since 2005, will become chairman with immediate effect. He has been on the Walpole board since November 2012.

Walpole represents the interests of more than 170 luxury British brands, including Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Jimmy Choo and Mulberry.

For the past two years he has been president of the European Creative and Cultural Industries Alliance, which brings together five national luxury brand alliances from the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.  

Ward said: “I look forward to working closely with Walpole CEO Michelle Emmerson, the board and our members to continue to fulfil our mission to promote, protect and develop the British luxury industry both at home and overseas.”

Walpole estimates that the luxury industry is worth £32bn to the UK economy. It also runs annual mentoring programmes Brands of Tomorrow and Crafted and the Programme in Luxury Management at London Business School.

 

 

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