Kim Winser

Kim Winser, OBE is a businesswoman born in Helensburgh, Scotland and educated at Purbrook Grammar School, Hampshire, England. She joined Marks & Spencer (M&S) in 1977 and became the retailer's youngest appointed divisional director and first woman in the commercial field. Winser's turnarounds of Pringle of Scotland and Aquascutum were featured by the BBC in two separate programmes. In early 2009, she was brought on by 3i to advise them on its retail and consumer investments and to chair one of their portfolio's brands – Agent Provocateur. During her time with 3i she repositioned the chain as a luxury brand, led its global expansion into new markets and almost tripled the company's underlying profits. During this same period she was also an advisor to Net a Porter.
Career.
During 2012 Kim Winser decided to develop her own business using a new business model, direct supply via ecommerce and no middle men allowing quality, and a fast responsive service at affordable prices.
The eponymous online fashion venture; Winser London, is fronted by supermodel Yasmin Le Bon. The first collection was launched on 15 February 2013. Kim Winser has since opened a concession pop up at Harvey Nichols in the Knightsbridge flagship shop of the department store chain. The latest collection is also available to buy online from Harvey Nichols' newly re-launched e-commerce site.
Winser London has since opened boutique stores in Gerrards Cross and Marlow, with the collection also being available at Rossiters in Bath, Flats in California and in six branches of John Lewis.
Winser was awarded an honorary doctorate by Heriot Watt University in 2002.
In 2013, Winser was awarded an 'Inspirational Achievement' award. The winners were announced and presented their awards at Cadogan Hall on 2 October 2013. In addition, Winser acts as a special advisor to a number of companies, private equity and family funds. In February 2013, Prime Minister David Cameron appointed Winser as a trustee of the Natural History Museum.
Winser was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen in 2006 for services to the fashion industry.
Winser became a contributor for Forbes in 2013.
In 2014, she was included in the BBC's 100 Women.
Turnaround of Pringle of Scotland.
Winser became Pringle of Scotland's chief executive officer following its takeover by Hong Kong-based S.C. Fang & Sons Company in 2000. As a partial owner, she revamped the business by taking it from a brand known for men's golf wear, to an international brand in fashion. She closed a number of poor licenses, used the company's archive of nearly 200 years and relaunched the brand. She sought greater efficiencies in the company's Hawick factory. She launched a retail division with shops in Bond Street and Sloane Street, London and elsewhere internationally.
Turnaround of Aquascutum.
In April 2006, Renown/Kaleido appointed Winser to president and chief executive officer of the global Aquascutum brand to help revitalise the company. She introduced a wholesale structure into the company and launched the top accounts globally. Since her appointment, the international growth of the brand had increased. She introduced a new image for the brand, with celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan and Gisele Bündchen appearing in campaigns. She pushed for Aquascutum to be one of the first brands to put on a fashion show in Shanghai, China. In 2009, when the company's owners opted to sell off components of the business rather than keeping it intact, Winser decided to leave. Also in 2009, Winser offered to purchase the entire Aquascutum global business, including the small unprofitable element that went into trouble under Harold Tillman.
Charities.
Winser supports a number of charities, including working with HRH Prince Charles with The Prince's Trust, Ewan McGregor for the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), and Lady Helen Taylor for CLIC Sargent. She is also very active in a number of events dedicated towards breast cancer awareness.
Appearances.
Winser has appeared on several notable TV and radio programmes including:
Other accomplishments.
Winser served as a non-executive director of The Edrington Group, and in 2011, was asked by the English Government to deliver "The Good Work Commission", alongside John Varley and other notable executives.