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 and cultural institutions in its membership, each exemplifying the highest standards of quality, style, craftsmanship, creativity, service and innovation. Among many others, existing members include Alexander McQueen, BAFTA, Bentley Motors, Boodles, DAKS, Fortnum & Mason, The Berkeley, Rolex, and Rolls-Royce.
Formed in 1990 as ‘The Churchill Group’ by top-tier British companies, including British Airways, the Financial Times, and The Savoy Group, the organisation aimed to promote British excellence, providing a community for the exchange of best-practice ideas to drive business development. In 1992, The Churchill Group became Walpole.
As the voice of British luxury, Walpole’s purpose is to promote, protect and develop a sector worth £48 billion to the UK economy and the jewel in the crown of UK business.
In 2001, Walpole established the British Luxury Awards, a prestigious ceremony celebrating the very best high-end products and services from fashion, fragrance and fine jewellery to hotels, automobiles and accessories. Dedicated to creating a pipeline of growth for Britain’s luxury brands, Walpole also runs the annual mentoring programmes Brands of Tomorrow and the Programme in Luxury Management at London Business School.
Walpole hosts at least 50 events each year for its members, bringing the sector together to share ideas, best practice and to make meaningful connections with peers. Strict membership criteria include a minimum turnover requirement and demonstrable qualities as a British luxury brand or cultural institution.
