Luxury stationery and accessories brand Smythson has announced the appointment of Paolo Porta as its new CEO. Porta brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles in renowned brands such as Hunter, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Christian Dior, and Stella McCartney. With expertise in areas including merchandising, retail buying and management, wholesale distribution, and brand development, Porta is well-suited to lead Smythson.
Smythson, which is part of Italy’s Tivoli Group, has set its sights on global expansion under Porta’s leadership. Stefano Giacomelli, Chairman of Smythson and CEO of Tivoli Group, expressed his delight at Porta joining the brand and praised his extensive knowledge of global lifestyle companies. Giacomelli believes that Porta’s appointment will strengthen Smythson’s position in traditional markets such as the UK and Europe, while also enabling expansion into strategic markets such as the United States and Asia.
Porta himself expressed his pride in contributing to the growth and development of Smythson, a brand that represents over 130 years of British luxury. He recognizes the immense potential of Smythson and its unique position in the market.
Under Porta’s leadership, Smythson has made international growth a priority. Giacomelli revealed that the brand sees America as having the potential to exceed Europe in terms of market size. Smythson aims to expand its distribution globally while maintaining its reputation for quality. Additionally, the brand views Asia as an important market. At the same time, Smythson will solidify its presence in the UK and European markets.
The company’s financial performance has been mixed in recent periods. Sales suffered during the first year of the pandemic but showed signs of recovery in the year ending March 2022. Despite operating at a loss, Smythson reported double-digit growth in the US market and ongoing digital growth. The UK remains its largest market, with eight stores located in prestigious London shopping districts and Heathrow Airport. Smythson has also expanded its reach with a corner at the Le Bon Marché department store in Paris.
With Paolo Porta leading the way, Smythson is poised for growth and will continue to uphold its legacy of British luxury while expanding into new markets worldwide.
Please find below two useful links related to Smythson:
– Official Smythson Website
– Vogue’s Coverage on Smythson
