John Smedley bolsters leadership team with three new hires
Heritage British knitwear brand John Smedley has shaken up its leadership team with three new hires and two expanded executive roles.
Posting on LinkedIn on Friday, John Smedley Chief Executive Officer Jess McGuire-Dudley welcomed “a new chapter” for the brand.
Stuart Pannell has joined as Chief Financial Officer from IDESO Group (in the manufacturing industry), Brian Lancaster has come in as Chief Operating Officer from Eviosys (also in the manufacturing industry and now Sonoco Ltd), and Nick Watt, who was previously in a consultancy role, has been appointed People Director.
McGuire-Dudley said: “Today marks an important milestone in the evolution of John Smedley.
"As we continue to build on more than 240 years of British manufacturing excellence, I am delighted to announce the appointment of a strengthened executive leadership team that combines deep industry expertise, operational excellence, and a shared commitment to securing the long-term future of our business.
"I am also pleased to welcome back Bryan Jackson CBE as Senior Independent Director, bringing a wealth of board-level experience and strategic insight."
McGuire-Dudley continued: "Together, this C-suite brings together expertise across finance, operations, product, people, sustainability and governance, creating a leadership team with the capability to guide John Smedley through its next phase of growth and transformation.
“I would also like to recognise the continued stewardship of Ian Maclean MBE, our Executive Chairman, and Robert Marsden Smedley, Non-Executive Director, both representatives of the eighth generation of the John Smedley family. Their commitment to preserving the values, craftsmanship and heritage of our business while embracing the future remains central to everything we do.
"This is an exciting moment for our company. We have ambitious plans to strengthen our position as one of Britain’s most respected luxury manufacturing brands, investing in our people, our products, our sustainability agenda and our global partnerships.
"I’m incredibly proud to lead this exceptional team as we write the next chapter of the John Smedley story."
In April, John Smedley unveiled a redesigned website “reflecting the growth of the brand’s direct-to-consumer business and its journey of digital transformation”.
It came at the same time that John Smedley was granted a second Royal Warrant for exceptional knitwear and commitment to craftsmanship, quality and sustainability, the first awarded by Queen Camilla.
