What:  Fenwick, a former IADS member, appointed a new CEO early 2020. For the first time, he takes the opportunity to reflect on his achievements and ongoing issues.

Why it is important: John Edgars is the first non-family member to be appointed CEO of Fenwick, which has had a specific development in the past, with all stores being independent from each other (a feature that was dropped in the 2000s).

John Edgars, Fenwick’s CEO who was appointed early 2020, gave a lengthy interview to WWD, reviewing his achievements and concerns since he took the position, a few months before the pandemic. He is the first non-family member to hold the position in the 140-years-old organization.

For him, he started with a clear mission: to survive during the pandemic, until reaching some kind of stability in the summer of 2020, when he started to review the business model (with a focus on full price), products quality (including new brands), customer service and of course, online sales (95% of womenswear is now available online, through dropship, concession or wholesale). New brands allowed Fenwick stores to attract a new, younger clientele, which was also lured in with a new F&B offering, including a vegan restaurant in London.

Owning the real estate is, for him, a key feature which helped the organization to go through the pandemic and a point that is not questioned today.

Interview of John Edgars, CEO of Fenwick