Bio                                                         

Advisor Roles
Advisor to Prada SA (2025-2026)
Senior Advisor to Smith Square Partners, a London corporate finance boutique (2023-Present)
Advisory Director to Investcorp (Corporate Investment Team) (2010-2016)

Board Seats

Director of Prada S.A. (2016-2025)

Director of Fairfax & Favor (2024-2026)

Non-Executive Director Georg Jensen (2010-2017)                                                                                                                     

Non-Executive Director of French Connection (2008-2017)

Independent Consulting
Independent Retail and Luxury Goods Consultant (2008-Present)

- Expert witness - Estée Lauder litigation case (2025/2026)
- IPO advisory work – Prada €9 billion (2011); Pandora €5 billion (2010); Perfect Moment (2024)
- M&A  Cath Kidston >£100 million (2010) and Original Additions £30 million (2011)
- Due diligence on behalf of private equity (Jimmy Choo, Belstaff)
- Brand research – Walter Albini (2023)

Entrepreneurship
Founded Iffley Road. Men’s running wear stocked at Harrods/Barney’s/Mr Porter/Matches (2013-2022)

Luxury and Retail Equity Research
Morgan Stanley, Managing Director, Apparel, Retail & Luxury Goods analyst (1991-2008)

Industry knowledge - Ranked no. 1 in Luxury Goods and/or Continental European Retailing for 9 consecutive years.  Cited among the top 100 most influential people in Fashion by Time Magazine.  Frequently approached and engaged by companies in the Luxury sector for advice, IPOs and secondary offerings.  I headed the research in and was instrumental in obtaining almost a dozen IPOs and secondary offerings including - Bulgari (1995), Burberry (2002); Debenhams (2006); Gucci, (1995); Head (2000); Inditex (2001); IT Holding (1997) and Vendex (1995) and am therefore highly skilled in communicating with investors.

Strategic and financial analysis - My understanding of both Apparel Retail & Luxury Goods has enabled me to produce insightful and thorough research.  Key to the success of my research has been the understanding of what makes a Luxury brand successful as well as the operational challenges of a Luxury company.  I am known for my independent viewpoint, frequently making non-consensus calls, which turn out to be correct.  In 2005, I was the number one stock picker in the entire European Morgan Stanley Research department.

Communication with Luxury companies and investors - I have developed strong relationships at the highest level with Luxury Goods and Apparel Retail companies, many of whom have been investment banking clients.  I have also cultivated a devoted following among many institutional clients, as witnessed by my number one rank in Institutional Investor for 9 years.

Leadership - I effectively fronted Morgan Stanley’s European efforts in working with Apparel Retailers & Luxury Goods companies.  In addition, I have led a team of people, mentoring and growing junior team members.  Because of the nature of the industry, I have often managed the team through periods of significant change.

Presentation and sales skills - I have outstanding presentation skills, giving frequent presentations to the Morgan Stanley sales force and am now often invited to speak at industry conferences.  At a recent Equity Research conference, a leading City figure recently described me as “the best presenter in Equity Research at Morgan Stanley and one of the best presenters in the entire City.”

Integrity and resilience - My independent, critical but accurate research led to a major luxury company suing Morgan Stanley in 2002.  This generated widespread praise from investors, industry leaders and even leading regulators for my principled, objective stance and refusal to be cowed by threat of litigation. Despite the extensive time demands of the lawsuit, the quality and quantity of my work at Morgan Stanley never diminished and my professional standing has never been higher.  Morgan Stanley’s research was cleared completely on June 30 2006.

Merrill Lynch, Vice President, European Retailing analyst (1989-1991)

Morgan Grenfell, German analyst (1998-1989)

Ark Securities - German analyst (1987-1988)

Education
Oxford University, Worcester College - MA in Modern Languages 1986

Interests
Running, Triathlon and Fashion