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Victoria Beckham appoints Ralph Toledano as chairman

Lauretta Roberts
07 March 2018

Victoria Beckham has appointed former Chloé CEO Ralph Toledano as chairman with immediate effect.

Toledano joins the business to help it prepare for its next phase of growth following a £30m investment from Neo Investment Partners at the end of last year.

Further growth for the luxury brand will come from geographical expansion, particularly in Asia, “a realization of the company’s direct-to-consumer ambitions” and a review of its cost base to return it to profitability, the company said. Latest available figures for the business for the year ending December 2016 show a loss of £8.6m on sales of £36m, which were said to have grown significantly in 2017.

Of his appointment Toledano said: “I was fascinated to meet with Victoria - an artist, designer and entrepreneur - who remains driven in her ambition for her brand.

"She is at the forefront of the shifting and increasingly digital fashion landscape and, having established her brand vision over the past decade, is now uniquely positioned to communicate this vision directly to her customers. I am thrilled to be partnering with her to accelerate the building of the company into a modern luxury group.”

Beckham praised Toledano's "unrivalled industry experience". "I am excited to have such an esteemed partner with me as we move in to the next chapter.

“Since I founded the company ten years ago, I have always looked to bring on board the best people to help me deliver my vision. Following the investment from NEO last year, I am thrilled to have the added expertise of Ralph as chairman," she added.

Beckham established her label 10 years ago and as part of her anniversary celebrations she will be bringing her mainline show to London Fashion Week for the first time this September. This anniversary is just one aspect of a major year for Beckham and her brand which has also signed a new lease on a new HQ in Hammersmith. At the end of last year, she also announced a new, long-term collaboration with Reebok on a range of activewear.

Toledano joined Chloé in 1991 and in 2001 he appointed Phoebe Philo as creative director. He left the brand in 2010 and became president of the Puig group’s fashion division in 2012. In 2016 Toledano was re-elected president of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode. He has held the post since 2014.

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