Harrods MD and Walpole Chairman Michael Ward appointed as President of ECCIA

The Managing Director of Harrods and Chairman of Walpole, Michael Ward, has been appointed as the new President of the European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance (ECCIA), effective immediately.

As frosty European relationships thaw following Brexit, it’s good news for Walpole, the business association for the British luxury sector which counts over 250 UK luxury brands among its membership.

The ECCIA comprises seven European cultural and creative industry associations; Altagamma (Italy), Circulo Fortuny (Spain), Comité Colbert (France), Gustaf III Kommitté (Sweden), Laurel (Portugal), Meisterkreis (Germany), and Walpole - who between them represent over 600 brands and cultural institutions.

Ward takes over from Matteo Lunelli, Chairman of Fondazione Altagamma and CEO of Ferrari Trento, who led ECCIA from January 2022 to December 2023 alongside Altagamma CEO, Stefania Lazzaroni.

European brands currently account for 72% of the global high-end market, contributing 10% (€210 million) to Europe's exports and employing 2.1 million people.

Since its creation in 2010, ECCIA has become "an authoritative advocate for the high-end sector in Brussels", protecting the industry on a number of priority issues including Vertical Block Exemption Regulation, while also establishing the contribution of the sector to the European economy.

Over the next two years, Walpole will oversee ECCIA’s work in Brussels on the main policy priorities which are brand protection, and protection of intellectual property in particular, as well as trade, tourism, sustainability and ESG aligned to the European Green Deal.

Ward said: "I would like to thank Matteo and Stefania for their leadership of ECCIA over the past two years and for their achievements during their presidency, not least leading the wide ranging Bain & Company study into high-end tourism among many other successes.

"The European high-end industries act as ambassadors of European excellence, innovation and creativity and, in this election year, we have a renewed opportunity to make sure the impact of a sector worth €769 billion to the European economy is felt and understood."

Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole, added: "The luxury business model is deeply integrated across Europe and the flows of investment, trade (including supply chains) and culture that the sector generates move in both directions across the Channel.

"The powerful ties forged through ECCIA and the collaboration, shared interests and willingness to unite as businesses beyond national boundaries strengthens the work of each of the individual associations respectively and reinforces the luxury sector as the powerhouse that it is.

"It’s a privilege for Walpole to have the opportunity to build on the success of Altagamma’s presidency for the next two years."