CEO of Walpole to step down & take up new role

Over the last 13 years, Julia Carrick has transformed and built Walpole into one of the largest and most respected luxury trade bodies in Europe, growing the membership from 27 member companies when she joined, to 180 members today.

Under Julia’s stewardship, Walpole's membership comprises some of Britain's most prestigious brands and cultural bodies.  Julia has instituted a culture in which principles count for more than personalities.  Under her dynamic leadership, Walpole today is the voice of British luxury within the media and the leading think-tank and campaigning body to the UK government and the EU, as well as a supplier of luxury brands research and information.

Julia has spearheaded a number of major campaigns for the luxury industry, most recently on easing visa restrictions for Chinese visitors. She co- founded the UK Chinese Visa Alliance last year. 

Her ability to forge close relationships with Walpole’s French, Italian, German and Spanish counterparts across Europe was instrumental in the formation of the European Creative and Cultural Industries Alliance.  The ECCIA’s most recent success saw the European Commission’s ground-breaking recognition of the Luxury Industry as a key driver of the European economy, which will benefit the industry for years to come.

Julia and Walpole play an instrumental role in protecting the future of British luxury, through initiatives such as Brands of Tomorrow and Crafted, which nurture emerging creative and entrepreneurial talent in the industry.  Julia has also succeeded in gaining academic and educational credibility for British luxury, reflected in the launch of London Business School’s Luxury Programme next month.

Julia has been at the forefront in promoting British luxury across the globe, leading many overseas Walpole exhibitions and conferences. She also possesses an increasingly wide circle of contacts developed over her many years at the helm of the UK luxury goods industry.

Walpole