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► The perfect destination for town and country living

William & Son have a particular and definitively British take on the finest things in life. Founded in 1999 by William Asprey, a seventh generation member of the Asprey family, the company has grown to become Mayfair’s go-to luxury destination for town and country living. From the finest jewellery and timepieces, leather goods and homeware William & Son also produce impeccable attire and accessories for the field.

William & Son is dedicated to employing the highest quality craftsmanship and the most exemplary of materials, to tradition but also innovation, and most definitely to the charms of the unexpected. The majority of William & Son’s own collections are produced by British craftsmen, working across the company’s various manufactures, all based in the United Kingdom. Throughout different departments, we partner with a new generation of artists, artisans and designer-makers, ensuring that traditional crafts not only survive but are re-invigorated. Connoisseur brands are expertly mixed and matched along William & Son’s own range of products to ensure that all whims and fancies are catered for. Part of William & Son core values is the bespoke service they offer across all departments from unique commissions to elegant engraving to customisation. It is this unique level of service and commitment to excellence that has earned William & Son an international reputation, a Royal Warrant and a loyal clientele.

Below, left ► William & Son handcrafted leather games.

Photo © Bruce Anderson

Below, right ► William & Son embellished evening clutches. William & Son

WALPOLE

The Official Sector Body of British Luxury

As the voice of British luxury, Walpole’s purpose is to promote, protect and develop a sector worth £48 billion to the UK economy. Founded in 1992 as a not-for-profit organisation, Walpole is recognised in both Westminster and Brussels and brings together 250 member brands across the breadth of the UK high-end creative and cultural industries.

Walpole curates an extensive programme of private members’ club events, thought leadership, business development and learning opportunities, as well as the prestigious annual Walpole British Luxury Awards - the highlight of the luxury calendar. Walpole is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Britain’s luxury brands through its mentoring programmes: Brands of Tomorrow, Women in Luxury, Luxury in the Making and Programme in Luxury Management at LBS. Walpole promotes the sector through activations with luxury media, and through its powerful digital content programme, which tells the story of British luxury every day to an audience of over 23,000.

Walpole commissions industry-leading research, works with government on policy issues affecting the sector, and actively seeks out UK and international business opportunities. It promotes growth through a programme of initiatives, and as founders of the UK China Visa Alliance, and the European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance: an organisation that champions relationships with Europe’s luxury and creative sectors. Finally, the annual Walpole US Trade Delegation and Media Showcase promotes British-American luxury trade in the world’s most important market for the sector.

Walpole is to luxury what Belmond is to travel... simply the best! More seriously, the support of Walpole over the years to make luxury British brands shine around the world has been absolutely tremendous. There is a great momentum around British luxury and the platform Walpole has created to support those brands is one of the reasons why."

Arnaud Champenois

Senior VP Brand & Marketing, Belmond

Walpole

British Luxury

Above ► Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo from Ralph & Russo discuss couture with The Times' Fashion Director Anna Murphy at Walpole's Future of British Luxury Summit.

Right ► Walpole Chairman & Harrods MD Michael Ward and Walpole CEO Helen Brocklebank with US Ambassador Robert Wood 'Woody' Johnson and guests at his London residence, Winfield House.

Left ► The Haves and the Have-Yachts’ at Maison Assouline with Sunseeker, Winch Design and Boat International. Moderated by Walpole's Charlotte Keesing.

► Events A Private Members Club for Luxury Walpole hosts over 40 events each year, bringing 1,750 individuals from 250 member brands together to create luxury’s most powerful offline social network. Walpole events are a unique opportunity to connect with likeminded luxury leaders, united by a common customer, to share knowledge, expertise, successes and challenges, to create partnerships, and to build community. Through this, Walpole has established an active and engaged luxury community who work collaboratively to further the sector in the UK and overseas. Members Club activities include four marquee events – the Chairmen & CEO Dinner, the British Luxury Summit, Culture & Creativity Dinner and the Walpole British Luxury Awards. Other opportunities Masterclasses and Insight Workshops; Brexit and other geo-political issues, Export Strategy group, Luxury in the Making; and building peerto-peer relationships with monthly Walpole Member Socials, Luxury Supper Club, The Savoy Leaders Lunch and UHNWI Dinner Club.

► Public Affairs A Collective Voice for Luxury Walpole represents the luxury sector’s interests in Westminster and Brussels, ensuring it is recognised, valued and protected. Walpole acts as a collective voice on the following business-critical areas for its members:

Economic Value & Impact

Walpole’s industry benchmark studies and research provides statistics on the worldwide luxury sectors. Our last Economic Report with Frontier Economics revealed Britain’s luxury industry is worth £48 billion, valuing it at 2.4% of GDP.

Brexit

Following the historic EU referendum, Walpole identified five areas of concern for the UK luxury goods sector which formed the basis of the luxury sector’s manifesto, ‘Thriving after Brexit: The impact of leaving the EU on the UK’s luxury goods sector and policy recommendations’. Walpole regularly consults with members and works with government departments and bodies to understand the impact of Brexit on the sector. Walpole's CEO chairs the Consumer Goods Committee for the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Trade and Export.

► International Cultivating Overseas Growth Opportunities Walpole develops international activities to promote Britain’s luxury sector overseas, and support members in developing their networks across the world. Walpole has relationships with the FCO, DIT, GREAT and embassies in key markets, and has strong ties with sister organisations in Italy, France, Spain and Germany as a founding member of the ECCIA. Walpole also partners with international events and conferences including the FT Business of Luxury Summit and European Excellence Summit. Walpole’s annual US Trade Delegation and Media Showcase brings 20 Walpole members to New York City – the world’s largest market for luxury worldwide. Valued at $85 billion, the United States is a key export market for Britain’s luxury brands. Walpole curates a packed programme of events during the three-day mission, including an Insight Briefing, Cocktail Reception, commercial meetings, and Dinner, culminating in a Media Showcase in a centrally located studio space, in a celebration of British luxury in New York City.

Above, top ► Walpole members ‘Meet the Media’ at an event with former NET-A-PORTER editor-in-chief Lucy Yeomans.

Above, middle ► The Medium is the Message: Cinematic Storytelling’ with Digital Cinema Media and Belmond at Picturehouse Central.

Above, bottom ► The launch of Walpole’s Tomorrow’s Talent schools programme with The Chelsea Academy in South West London.

Walpole

British Luxury