Paul Smith Restructures Leadership With First CEO Appointment

Paul Smith appoints Ewan Venters as its new executive chairman, a position that will become official on October 1st this year. Venters has served as non-executive director of the British fashion retailer since February.

Venters came to Paul Smith, the British men’s fashion company, from contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth, where he served as CEO. As advanced by WWD, the executive chairmanship is a newly created position.

Venters was also CEO of Fortnum & Mason, a gourmet food products company, where he spent eight years and oversaw the transformation of the brand and the rise of the business.

Paul Smith counted Venters as a non-executive director, coming from contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth

The founder of the eponymous British company, Paul Smith, said Venters’ addition to the executive chairmanship comes at a pivotal time, as the company turns 55.“During his time as a non-executive director, he has brought inexhaustible energy and a valuable perspective to propel us into the next chapter,“ he reflected.

For his part, Venters has hailed Paul Smith as “one of Britain’s most enduring, captivating and beloved brands.“

The new chief executive will retain his other roles, including as chairman of the Great Britain campaign’s private sector board, which aims to maintain and promote the UK’s commercial reputation.

According to the latest published figures, Paul Smith closed FY2022 with sales up 38% year-on-year to 53.9 million pounds ($73.5 million).