HOME

What Walpole Does

What Walpole Does

Walpole is the official sector body for UK luxury. Founded in 1992 as a not-for-profit organisation, it counts more than 250 British brands in its membership and is recognised in both Westminster and Brussels.

As the voice of British luxury, Walpole’s purpose is to promote, protect and develop a sector worth £81 billion to the UK economy, and destined to become a world leader in sustainability.

Our Mission

Walpole’s mission is to promote, protect and develop a sector that is the jewel in the crown of British business and a global calling card for British creativity, quality, entrepreneurship and sustainability, representing the very best Britain can do.

Walpole achieves this by representing its members’ interests at home and abroad, building networks and encouraging collaboration within our community, and providing members with knowledge, insight and expertise.

Walpole Members

250

Members

View All members

18

Sectors

View all sectors

168

Brands of Tomorrow

Find out More

Our History

Our organisagtion was originally formed in 1990 as The Churchill Group by British Airways, Chewton Glen, The Financial Times, The Savoy Group, DAKS London and William Grant & Sons – six iconic British luxury brands united by their shared values across diverse sectors.

The aim of the organisation was to promote British excellence and provide a forum for the exchange of best practice ideas to drive business development. In 1992, The Churchill Group became Walpole, and, in 2005, the organisation refined its mission statement from promoting British excellence to promoting, protecting and developing British luxury.

Effective & Influential

Walpole is the UK’s only business organisation for luxury brands. Effective and influential, it speaks on behalf of more than 250 of Britain’s finest and most famous brands across a wide range of sectors, collectively worth £81 billion to the UK economy, contributing 3.7% of the UK’s GDP, and supporting over 450,000 jobs throughout the country.

Representation

A crucial pillar of Walpole’s mission is to represent the interests of the UK luxury sector. We work with key stakeholders across government, industry and media to ensure the sector’s economic contribution is recognised, that our priorities are understood, and that government policy supports the future growth of your business, and enables the creation of highly skilled, sustainable jobs.

Community

Invitation to the full Walpole Events programme, including webinars and, where practical, in-person events; Content on the Walpole website and Daily Luxury Digest. For example, CEO interview, Brand Snapshot; Introductions to key contacts in other brands to facilitate sharing of best practice and collaboration; Support on social media; Extended network throughout the UK, Europe and in key overseas territories

Knowledge

Access to the Walpole Research and Insights programme; Access to thought leadership from key partners and Walpole proprietary research; Library of reports and past publications; Assistance and research with specific issues; Insight on brand positioning and key economic and consumer trends

Walpole Members

Walpole’s members include British luxury icons such as Alexander McQueen; Burberry; Bentley; dunhill; Farfetch; Fortnum & Mason; Gleneagles; Glenfiddich; Harrods; The Macallan; Mulberry; Penhaligon’s; Rolls-Royce Motor Cars; The Savoy and Wedgwood. It also represents many prestigious heritage brands - Church’s; Henry Poole & Co; Johnstons of Elgin; Ettinger; Lock & Co Hatters; Turnbull & Asser, for example - as well as emerging high-end British brands like Chapel Down Wines; Biscuiteers; Miller Harris and Bremont Watches, many of whom have come through Walpole’s flagship development programme, Brands of Tomorrow. Member brands are united by a common focus on discerning and affluent consumers and a shared mission to deliver world-class products and experiences.

45 Park Lane

View profile

Anna Mason

View profile

Bentley Motors

View profile

Bremont

View profile

Walpole Engagement

11,000

Subscribers to our Daily Luxury Digest newsletter

45,000

Followers across our social media channels

25,000

Visitors to thewalpole.co.uk every month

About Membership

Walpole members are united by a common focus on discerning and affluent consumers and a shared mission to deliver world-class products and experiences.

Read More

Walpole 
News

Fashion & Accessories

09.11.2021

10 Questions. 10 CEO's. Supporting the Next Generation of Leaders: An interview with Simon Cotton, CEO, Johnstons of Elgin

Fashion & Accessories

05.07.2023

Burberry bursts back onto New Bond Street with new global flagship

Fashion & Accessories

25.11.2021

10 Questions. 10 CEOs. Supporting the Next Generation of Leaders: An interview with Iain Watson, CEO, David Collins Studio