Ewan Venters moves from non-exec role at Paul Smith to executive chairman

Paul Smith Ltd has a new executive chairman with one of UK retail’s most experienced leaders taking up the role. On Wednesday the independent British fashion label named Ewan Venters to the newly-created role. He starts early next month.

Venters has been a non-executive director at the business since February so he’s already well versed in all-things Paul Smith.

Before that he was CEO of global contemporary art gallery Hauser & Wirth and prior to that he ran luxury department store Fortnum & Mason for eight years (overseeing a major growth phase) before which he’d held senior roles at Selfridges.

“I’m delighted to welcome Ewan to the team on the cusp of celebrating our 55th anniversary,” said company founder Sir Paul Smith. “In his time as a non-executive director, Ewan has brought boundless energy and a welcome perspective to help propel us into our next chapter. I’m very excited to continue working together.”

When he joined the board earlier this year, Paul Smith had also described Venters’ arrival as “a pivotal moment”, saying the company was exploring “key strategies to shape the future”.

Venters called the Paul Smith label “one Britain’s most enduring, captivating and beloved brands, and I am thrilled to be joining the team at an important juncture in its development. I have known and admired Sir Paul for some time, and I regard it as a great privilege to work alongside one of Britain’s greatest living designers and entrepreneurs.”

He was awarded an OBE  in the King’s Honours List in 2024 for services to international trade and will remain in other positions including as chair of the Private Sector Council of the GREAT campaign that seeks to enhance the UK’s business reputation overseas.