Walpole appoints Fortnum & Mason chief executive as chair
Walpole has appointed Tom Athron, the chief executive of Fortnum & Mason, as its new chair.
He has replaced Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods, who has stepped down after serving the maximum tenure of nine years. Ward has now taken on the newly created advisory role at Walpole of president emeritus.
Athron has been leading Fortnum & Mason since December 2020. Prior to this, he was chief operating officer at Matchesfashion, and also spent 13 years at the John Lewis Partnership where he served in several senior positions including on the main board.
Commenting on his appointment, Athron said: “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.
Never Miss a Retail Update!“On behalf of the board and our members, I would like to thank Michael for his outstanding contribution to the organisation and for the passion and energy he has brought to everything Walpole does.”
Ward said: “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 Helen. I am honoured to become president emeritus and to continue supporting the upward trajectory of both Walpole and the sector as a whole.”
