// Temperley London appoints Luca Donnini as new CEO
// Donnini spent 20 years at Max Mara, including a stint as president
// He was most recently president at Guess Europe
Temperley London has announced the appointment of former Max Mara and Guess president Luca Donnini as its new chief executive.
He will replaces Sally Hughes, who was appointed chief executive in September last year
He also joins the luxury fashion and bridalwear retailer during a crucial time, as it works to recoup the losses it recently recorded.
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Donnini spent 20 years with Max Mara, where he was pivotal in the brand’s global expansion as its president of worldwide markets.
In 2008, he became president at Guess Europe, during which revenues grew to $1 billion (£780 million).
“We are very pleased to have Luca Donnini on board,” Temperley London founder Alice Temperley said in a statement.
“He brings a very strong background within the industry and has a proven track record in developing luxury brands.
“I am certain that with his experience and talent he will be able to drive the business to the next level.”
Donnini said: ”Temperley represents one of the very few British lifestyle brands with an international appeal; it has great opportunity in this challenging momentum and I am very excited in supporting [Alice Temperley] and all the team to transform the business model in the most appropriate way to face market change and increase profitability.”
According to the Temperley London’s most recent financial accounts, pre-tax losses for the year ended December 31, 2017 widened to £1.7 million.
The losses came despite receiving a £1.78 million boost from investors, which was aimed at funding the brand’s turnaround scheme.
However, revenue for the same full-year period increased four per cent year-on-year to £11.3 million, and gross margins improved by six percentage points to 51 per cent.
Overseas markets made up 53 per cent of the British company’s sales, especially the US, Canada, United Arab Emirates, China and Hong Kong.
Despite this, auditors for the label issued a health warning.
Temperley London trades directly to consumers via its online store, two standalone stores in the UK and two stores in the Middle East, as well as online concessions with Matchesfashion and Net-A-Porter.
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