Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based VP’ operating in the Fashion space. If you think a VP’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Daniel Heaf
VP Nike Direct of Nike
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About Nike: Nike designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products.
Paulo Ferreira
VP of Engineering of Trouva
Paulo Ferreira is the VP of Engineering at Trouva.
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About Trouva: Trouva, the online destination for unique products from the best curators around the world
Susannah Clark
VP Communications, Global of Farfetch
Susannah is Communications Partner at EQT Ventures. Susannah works with portfolio companies to define their communications strategies, and helps them with storytelling and PR strategies. Before she joined EQT Ventures, Susannah was VP Communications globally for King Digital Entertainment, makers of the hit game franchise,Candy Crush. In this role, she ran corporate communications (helping the company IPO on the NYSE, and later with its acquisition by Activision Blizzard), consumer PR and internal communications around the world. Previously, Susannah has worked in communications and PR for companies including MoneySuperMarket, Apple, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Match.com and Motorola both in the UK and Australia. She has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Sydney. Susannah has a strong personal interest and involvement in the not-for-profit sector. She is the Chair of the Next Generation Committee for the UK youth charity, Leap Confronting Conflict, and a Trustee of the PTEN Research Foundation.
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About Farfetch: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
Sara Wood
Global VP Product Management of Farfetch
At Farfetch, Sara oversees all Global Consumer Products. Her team works across product management, design, and analytics in all Farfetch markets. Sara sits on the Farfetch Executive Board and is a member of the Strategy Committee. Sara joined Farfetch in October 2017 and is responsible for strategy and development of all consumer-centric products including; marketplace, platform, ecommerce, mobile, marketing, personalization, payments, loyalty, and inspiration. Sara’s experience prior to Farfetch spans 20 years as a product leader at the intersection of content, community, and technology as well as being an Early-stage Startup Advisor.
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About Farfetch, Salon Media Group: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
Kelly Kowal
Executive Vice President, Farfetch Platform Solutions (FPS) of Farfetch
As Managing Director of Farfetch Black & White, Kelly’s role is focused on leading her team to build revolutionary multi-channel e-commerce solutions and operating e-commerce sites for luxury brands and retailers. Kelly sits on the Farfetch Executive Board. Kelly joined Farfetch in 2010 to build and lead all digital marketing initiatives including customer acquisition, retention and engagement. Within her time at Farfetch, she also led the international growth and development strategy, overseeing expansion and localisation for all markets. Kelly’s background is in internet marketing and e-commerce, with her experience spanning over 15 years.
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About Farfetch: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
Sandrine Deveaux
Executive Vice President, Store of the Future of Farfetch
Sandrine is at the helm of Farfetch’s retail innovation vision ‘Store of the Future’ and is responsible for developing, executing and rolling out new, in-store technologies across Farfetch’s community of retail partners. Under Deveaux’s leadership, her team are focused on developing a pioneering mix of technology that will shape the retail experience of the future. Deveaux’s marketing, omni-channel and e-commerce expertise was honed in her previous roles at Harvey Nichols as multi-channel director and director of marketing and e-commerce at Matchesfashion.com. Sandrine also previously held roles at AOL and Bloomberg Media. Deveaux graduated from French business school ISC and holds a master’s degree in technology from ESSEC.
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About Farfetch: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
James Maynard
General Counsel & SVP Group Legal of Farfetch
At Farfetch James is responsible for the management and service delivery of the Farfetch Legal & Company Secretariat team. James sits on the Farfetch Executive Board, is a member of the Strategy Committee and Co-Chair of the Risk Group. James has ultimate responsibility for corporate execution of all M&A activity, large scale commercial agreements, IP and brand protection and enforcement, compliance (including data protection and anti-trust), contentious employee matters, material litigation and managing the Farfetch Group’s legal and compliance risk. Prior to joining Farfetch in 2014, for almost a decade James worked as legal counsel to various online technology companies, having spent his formative professional life as a corporate M&A lawyer in a City firm.
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About Farfetch: Farfetch is an online luxury fashion retail platform.
Matt Hiscock
VP of Harry’s
Matt Hiscock is General Manager UK of Harry’s Inc., a company that manufactures and sells razor blades and grooming products to brands and consumers all over the world. Harry’s was founded in 2013 in the United States with its headquarters in New York City, Eisfeld, Germany and London, England. Matt joined Harry’s in 2016 and lead the brands launch into the UK market in June 2017. Formerly, Matt was Marketing Director for British clothing retailer, Boden, running all global commercial activity across eight dedicated markets. He spent seven years at leading online fashion store, ASOS, where he had multiple roles, most notably as Head of Operations overseeing international markets, web production, CX and visual merchandising. Previous to ASOS he worked at British multinational retailer Marks & Spencer for eleven years where he managed the Middle East and Central EU franchise businesses before joining French Connection, a UK-based global fashion and homeware label. Matt currently lives in Brighton with his fiancé, Emma, and two daughters.
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About Harry’s: Harry is a developer of an online platform used to sell shaving equipment and accessories for men.
Steve Murray
Executive Vice President, Strategic Projects of VF
Steve Murray is Executive Vice President, Strategic Projects at VF Corporation. He has more than 30 years of experience in the apparel and footwear industry. In his current role, Steve partners with VF’s Senior Leadership Team and Brand Presidents to drive and deliver integrated strategic projects across brands, functions and the enterprise. Prior to his current role, Steve served as President of the Vans® brand following VF’s acquisition of the brand in 2004, during which time many of the Vans foundational strategies were established and annual revenue for the brand tripled to approximately $1 billion. In 2009, Steve was appointed President of VF’s Action Sports coalition, where he was responsible for overseeing the Vans , Reef and Pro-Tec brands . A British citizen, Steve left VF in 2010, moving back to his native UK, before re-joining the company in April 2018. He has held several leadership roles with iconic youth brands. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Airwair International (Dr. Martens) and was responsible for leading the company’s transformation from a manufacturing-led, family owned entity to a consumer-focused, private equity-backed, global retailer. He also served as Global Brand President, Urban Outfitters and EMEA President for Deckers Brands. Earlier in his career, Steve was the Global Head of Apparel for Reebok International. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Studies from Middlesex University.
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About VF: VF offers a diverse portfolio of iconic outdoor and activity-based lifestyle and work-wear brands.
John Higson
Executive Vice President, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Latin America of Avon Products
John Higson is Executive Vice President of Avon’s Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and Latin America (LATAM) regions. He has been responsible for end-to-end operations across EMEA since 2012, and assumed leadership of LATAM in January 2016. Mr. Higson is also a member of the Executive Committee. From 2014 through 2015, Mr. Higson served as Head of Global Field Operations, providing assessment and advisory support to the sales teams in Avon’s top 12 markets. Prior to this role, Mr. Higson was Senior Vice President, Global Commercial Operations. Before that, he was Senior Vice President of Global Direct Selling and Business Model Innovation, with responsibility for leading and developing Avon’s initiatives and strategies for its direct-selling channel. Mr. Higson has also served as: Senior Vice President, Central & Eastern Europe; General Manager, Avon Poland; Head of Global Sales Development; and General Manager, Avon Hungary. Mr. Higson joined Avon U.K. in 1985 as a management Associate. He went on to hold the positions of Division Manager, Sales Planner and Regional Director before his appointment as General Manager, Avon Hungary in 1993. Mr. Higson studied Economics and Public Policy at the University of Leeds.
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About Avon Products: Avon Products, Inc. (Avon) is a manufacturer and marketer of beauty and related products.
Jon Shimp
Vice President Risk Management of Louis Vuitton
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About Avivia Health, Kin Wellness, Louis Vuitton: Louis Vuitton is a French fashion house and luxury retail company.
Fraser Sutherland
VP of Product of Wooju
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About Wooju: Snap & solve indecisive moments with friends!
Fiona Abrams
VP Customer Service & Communications of Brayola
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About Brayola: The World’s Smartest Personal Bra Shopper.
