Julie Gilhart, a long-serving non-executive director at Mulberry, is set to depart after the upcoming AGM.
- Gilhart’s tenure at Mulberry spans nearly a decade, following an impressive career at Barneys New York.
- Mulberry’s AGM on 19 November 2024 will mark the end of Gilhart’s term, with no plans for re-election.
- Chairman Chris Roberts expressed gratitude for Gilhart’s significant contributions over her tenure.
- Frasers Group has increased its stake in Mulberry, amid a failed takeover bid earlier this month.
Julie Gilhart, an independent non-executive director at Mulberry, will step down following the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for 19 November 2024. She joined Mulberry in December 2014, bringing with her extensive experience from an eighteen-year tenure at Barneys New York, where she last held the position of fashion director.
Mulberry officially announced that Gilhart will not seek re-election and will conclude her current term after the AGM. This decision marks the end of a nearly ten-year period during which Gilhart played a pivotal role on Mulberry’s board, influencing strategic decisions and leadership directions.
Chris Roberts, chairman of Mulberry, commended Gilhart for her contributions, saying, “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Julie for her contribution to Mulberry over the past decade and we wish her well for the future.” His words encapsulate the board’s appreciation for Gilhart’s role in shaping the company’s trajectory.
In the midst of this transition, the Frasers Group has recently purchased an additional 3.93 million shares in Mulberry. This acquisition, executed at 100 pence per share, elevates Frasers’ stake from 36.8% to 37.2%. The investment move follows a rejected £83 million takeover bid by Frasers, with the group facing a deadline to make a firm offer by 28 October or retract.
These developments within Mulberry highlight significant board-level changes and external financial interests affecting the company’s strategic posture in the highly competitive fashion industry.
Julie Gilhart’s departure marks the end of a substantial chapter in Mulberry’s leadership, coinciding with intensified financial interest from Frasers Group.
