In Conversation with Marty Wikstrom and Professor Lewis - Cass

Professor Marianne Lewis, Dean, Cass Business School, and Marty Wikstrom will discuss Marty’s illustrious career and learning in the retailing and luxury goods industries.

Marty Wikstrom’s leadership experience is truly extraordinary. Recently inducted into the World Retail Congress Hall of Fame, her leadership achievements include President of Nordstrom’s Full Line Stores Group, Managing Director of Harrods, CEO of Richemont Fashion and Accessories, and Founding Partner of Atelier Fund, specialising in the acquisition and development of luxury brands.

Topics for discussion will include:

• Marty’s career to date – what are the most important leadership lessons that she has learned along the way
• Relationship building and networking in the age of digital and social media
• Dealing with challenges, paradoxes and tensions in the fashion, luxury goods and retailing industries
• Marty’s advice for Cass women keen to develop their careers and build their leadership experience

More information about the speaker:

Martha (Marty) S. Wikstrom is a seasoned brand and retail executive with over 30 years’ experience in global executive roles. She is a founding partner of Atelier Fund, specialising in the acquisition and development of luxury brands.

Throughout her career, Ms. Wikstrom has served on Boards, advising global companies in the United States and Europe. She currently sits as a Board Director of Fortnum & Mason, the 300-year-old quintessential English purveyor of food, drinks and gifts, Johnstons of Elgin, which has been making Scottish cashmere, tweed and woollens since 1797 and Farrow & Ball, a global leader in high quality paint and wallpaper. She is also a Board Director of The Rug Company, purveyors of handmade, designer rugs and Cath Kidston, the home of modern vintage.

Ms. Wikstrom was a Non-Executive Director of Bally International Ltd. for five years, serving on the Compensation Committee, until 2008 when Bally transitioned through a successful sale to Labelux Group. She has also sat on the Board of the British apothecary Space.NK, Ltd.

As Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Wikstrom led the Fashion and Accessories brands of Compagnie Financière Richemont SA, the world’s second largest luxury goods holding company. Ms. Wikstrom joined Compagnie Financière Richemont SA in 2005 as a Non-Executive Director, sitting on the Nominations Committee. In 2009, when she was appointed as CEO of the Fashion and Accessories businesses, she became an Executive Director and sat on the Group’s Management Committee, the Chairman’s
Committee and the Strategic Product and Communications Committee.

Ms. Wikstrom served as the Deputy Managing Director and then Managing Director of Harrods, Ltd, the prestigious London-based luxury company. She was tapped to join Harrods in order to develop the growth strategy for the Harrods brand and drive the development of the portfolio companies of Harrods Holdings, Ltd. Ms. Wikstrom was a Board Director of Harrods Holdings Ltd, Harrods Estates and Kurt Geiger, Ltd where she was also the interim Chief Executive Officer.

This event is jointly hosted with our Global Women's Leadership Programme. Read more here.

#casswomen

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the event.