Whistles’ Jane Shepherdson leaves CEO role

Whistles CEO, Jane Shepherdson CBE, has left the business after eight years, announced the UK company on Tuesday.

Having signed off the upcoming Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2017 collections, the executive's responsibilities will be taken over by a team led by Brand Director Helen Williamson, Managing Director Justin Hampshire and Creative Director Nick Passmore.

During her 8 year tenure as CEO, the UK label established itself as an aspirational contemporary brand following a relaunch, and successfully expanded its reach in the UK and internationally.

In recent years, Jane also led efforts to launch Whistles menswear, which has seen the opening of its first dedicated menswear store in London this year.

The brand has also returned to profitability after a shaky 2015, supported by a positive customer response to the S/S16 collections, combined with robust selling margin growth and careful management of the cost base.

Jane Shepherdson commented "I am really proud of what we have achieved at Whistles and am confident that I am handing over to a strong team in Helen, Justin and Nick, to continue the development of the brand."

On behalf of the Board, Ben Barnett, Chairman of Whistles, added: "We would like to thank Jane for her outstanding contribution to the rebuilding of the Whistles brand. She has established a clear direction for the future development of the brand and in Helen, Justin and Nick we are privileged to have an exceptional management team to realise this vision”.

Whistles’ Jane Shepherdson leaves CEO role

See also