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POSITIVE LUXURY AWARDS 2024: MEET THE JUDGES

November, 2023

The Positive Luxury Awards celebrate innovation, real change and higher standards across the supply chain – the brands, retailers or suppliers at the forefront of innovation taking serious, positive action. Judged by an independent panel that represents a cross-section of experts including academics, thought-leaders and industry executives, the Awards are an opportunity for organisations to be celebrated for showing what is possible, recognised for their innovation and rewarded for sustainability leadership in the luxury industry. By celebrating those raising the bar, we inspire others to meet higher standards. Meet the judging panel below.

Iris Van der Veken
Executive Director & Secretary General | Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030

Iris has a background in law and international relations. A sustainability pioneer, leadership executive and coalition-builder, with more than 20 years of global experience working in fast-paced environments including technology, jewellery, fashion, and government. She Chaired the United Nations Global Compact Network Belgium, and was honoured by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs for her leadership role in initiating the Global Compact Network Belgium and for her work on promoting corporate social responsibility in Belgium and abroad. Iris has been an Ambassador on the gender agenda for the jewellery industry, recently the WJI 2030 has launched a WEPs Campaign and is doing a pilot on gender procurement in partnership with UN Women. Iris has been an active volunteer for the Special Olympics for over 20 years and she ran the NY marathon for UNICEF. She is a Board Member of DIAMONDS DO GOOD.

“I am honored and very much looking forward to participating as a judge in the Positive Luxury Awards, celebrating real changemakers in sustainability. It is important to encourage leaders with the right mindset that actively do good, strengthen transparency, and show measurable impact. Progress is so much more important than perfection. We need bold leaders who are stepping up to deliver real transformation on the ground. It is less about what you do, but about how you impact the lives of people and mother nature for the better.”

Lisa Oxenham

An award-winning journalist and creative director, Lisa is one of the world’s top beauty editors. A well-respected stylist and art director, she shoots with the highest calibre of photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists, influencers and celebrities, creating timeless images and film. With 20 years of editorial experience in beauty, health and wellbeing Lisa is also a popular brand strategist, influencer, entrepreneur and public speaker, most recently talking for Cognition X.

“By recognising and applauding genuine pioneers in sustainability, we’re setting the gold standard and sparking inspiration throughout the luxury industry. It’s a clarion call to all.”

Mary Fellowes
CEO & Founder, Greenwith Studio

Mary is a sustainability expert in the fashion industry, known for authoring a white paper on technology and sustainability for the British Fashion Council and conducting workshops for Value Retail. She consults on ESG strategies, mentors brands like Belo, and serves as a board advisor for several companies. Mary is a prominent thought leader, having spoken at events like Cop26 and Cop27, lectured at Harvard Law School, and hosted a TV show on sustainable fashion. Before her current role at Greenwith Studio, she had a successful career as Vogue Fashion Director and celebrity stylist, contributing to global publications and pioneering sustainable fashion initiatives. She holds a distinction from Cambridge University’s CISL program in Sustainable Business Leadership.

“I am very honoured to be included as a judge alongside so many people I admire. Positive Luxury has been one of the first and most consistent in enabling a transition from luxury for luxury’s sake to a purpose-driven future that is still beautiful. The rigorousness and breadth of their approach is so important to bringing down the sector’s footprint and I look forward to being able to use my expertise to contribute to spotlighting those that deserve the acclaim through the event”

Millie Kendall OBE
CEO, British Beauty Council

CEO of the British Beauty Council, retail maven and brand creator, Millie Kendall has been instrumental in the success of cult brands including Shu Uemura, Aveda, Tweezerman, L’Occitane and Ruby & Millie. Having worked with the UK’s leading retailers, Millie has been creating and marketing beauty brands for the past 30 year’s. Millie was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her services to the cosmetic industry, and an OBE in 2022 for services to the hair and beauty industry.

Mickey ALAM KHAN
CEO, Luxury Roundtable

Mickey ALAM KHAN is CEO of Luxury Roundtable, a leading global network and luxury program for luxury professionals, luxury marketers and wealth managers. A global luxury expert, Mickey is often requested as a keynote speaker to discuss luxury business trends and best practices, as well as the evolving behavior of wealthy and UHNW consumers. He also has a deep bench of experience in covering luxury, marketing, retail, real estate and mobile. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Mickey has founded publications such as American Marketer, Luxury Daily, Mobile Marketer and Mobile Commerce Daily. He has also editorially led organisations such as eMarketer and DM News, and worked at Ad Age. He is based in New York

“Positive Luxury sets the standard for recognizing luxury brands who place sustainability at the core of their manufacturing, retailing and marketing efforts. It is an honor for me to be associated as one of the judges of the Positive Luxury Awards and get to see first-hand the work of luxury brands that who serve as role models to others in the business.”

Rosalie Mann
Founder and President of No More Plastic Foundation

Rosalie Mann is a versatile entrepreneur, artistic director, filmmaker, photographer, and producer with a strong background in marketing and communications, particularly in the luxury and film sectors, spanning over two decades. In 2018, she founded the non-profit organization No More Plastic, dedicated to raising awareness about the harmful effects of plastic and microplastic pollution. As a recognised thought leader, she has contributed articles to prestigious publications like VOGUE, ELLE and National Geographic and has participated in influential events, including TEDx at Sciences Po, UN World Ocean Day, International Women’s Day at UNESCO, Marie-Claire x Kering Fashion Our Future, Women’s Forum and the Web Summit. Rosalie’s contributions have earned her accolades, including being among the “100 French Women of Culture 2022” and recognized in ELLE France’s “30 Personalities of 2019” in the environmental sector. Her “No More Plastic Kids” program also received two Anthem Awards in the United States in 2022 for its significant impact in combatting plastic pollution among children.

Alexander Johnston
General Manager, John Bell & Croyden

Alexander is the General Manager and Commercial Head of Luxury pharmacy John Bell & Croyden, as well as a skincare writer for various magazines and publications across the world. He is active in the CEW mentorship programme and works closely with skincare, beauty and nutritional brands to develop and extend their following in the UK and beyond. He recently launched the John Bell & Croyden Anniversary prize initiative to find the next new brand to launch at the iconic London pharmacy.

“John Bell & Croyden was the first pharmacy brand to be accredited with the ISO14001 standard for environmental management back in 2004 and we have always held sustainability and environmental impact high on our list of priorities when going about business. We actively work with all of our brands to reduce waste, review packaging and to ensure that we are offing the best in luxury skincare and wellbeing that has a focus on sustainability and carbon neutrality. The work that Positive Luxury is doing in this arena is hugely valuable to the luxury industry, so I would consider it an honour to join the judging panel and be immersed in what other luxury brands are doing to safeguard our futures.”

Sue Williams MI FIH
Sustainability Consultant

Sue has had an extensive career in luxury hospitality, managing prestigious properties such as Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Gidleigh Park, and Cliveden House Hotel before becoming the General Manager of Whatley Manor Hotel. Throughout her career, she actively engaged with the industry, holding roles such as Chairman of PoB Hotels and UK Hospitality regional board member. As General Manager of Whatley Manor, Sue initiated the hotel’s Sustainability Journey in 2019, driven by the owner’s commitment to reducing environmental impact. Despite lacking prior experience in sustainability, she undertook a course on “Businesses transitioning to Net Zero Emissions” from the Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership during lockdown. Through strategic partnerships with organisations like NOW Sustainability and EarthCheck, Whatley Manor achieved the Earthcheck Silver accreditation in September 2022, becoming the first country house hotel in the UK to do so.

“I have long admired the work of Positive Luxury and am delighted to be able to participate in this years Awards judging process. Working with other sectors I have no doubt will be enriching and I hope I can also bring a fresh perspective to the table.”

Rebecca Butler

Editor, Professional Jeweller UK & USA

Rebecca Butler is a multimedia journalist who has been writing for print and digital magazines for more than three years. She currently oversees editorial operations for B2B trade publication Professional Jeweller. In June 2023, the jewellery journalist spearheaded the UK-based publication’s expansion into the US market with an official print launch at Couture in Las Vegas. Rebecca now delivers jewellery news, trends, and analytics across digital, print, and social media on an international scale.

“I am overjoyed to be joining the judging panel for the Positive Luxury Awards 2024. I believe that everyone now knows how important ethics and sustainability are in the manufacturing of, not just jewellery, but every consumable product. However, implementing and maintaining sustainable practices is not always the easiest or cheapest option – especially in the luxury industry. It is, therefore, vital that we champion and celebrate those businesses who are excelling in innovation in ESG, leading by example to make ethical practices the norm across the industry.”

Julien Lonneux
CEO, Vranken Pommery

Julien Lonneux is currently the International Director of the Vranken Pommery Monopole Group, as well as Chief Executive Officer of Vranken Pommery UK. Having first joined Vranken-Pommery Monopole in 2014, Julien served as Category Manager building off-trade and key accounts within the Benelux region, and as Export Manager for Europe. Just three years later Julien was promoted to International Development Director for Vranken-Pommery Monopole. Prior to joining Vranken Pommery UK, Julien was based in Viet Nam working at Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency, supporting Belgian companies to export.

“At Vranken Pommery, we understand the importance of placing people and nature at the heart of business as well as the need to inspire others to take positive actions towards real change. I am honoured to be a judge at this year’s Positive Luxury Awards which celebrates those business leading sustainability, meeting higher standards and driving innovation within the luxury industry.”

Glenn Mandziuk
CEO, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

Glenn Mandziuk is an internationally recognised chief executive with over 25 years of leadership experience in advancing sustainable practices in tourism, hospitality and economic development, and establishing strategies and programmes that inspire responsible growth.Prior to becoming CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Glenn was President and CEO of Canada’s Thompson Okanagan Tourism Region (TOTA) with its 4,000 industry stakeholders. Glenn’s leadership resulted in the organisation being recognised as a global champion of excellence and innovation in sustainable destination management and responsible industry development practices. Glenn has 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry in family-owned and operated hotels and resorts and holds a Master of Environmental Design degree majoring in sustainable tourism planning. He is also a director on the Board of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the Responsible Tourism Institute.

Christian Bachler
Executive Vice President, Fiskars

Christian Bachler joined the Fiskars Group Leadership team in 2019. As Executive Vice President, Business Area Vita he is responsible for such iconic brands as Georg Jensen, Wedgwood, Waterford, iittala and Royal Copenhagen. Bachler has 15 years of experience in consumer durables, sporting goods as well as luxury and lifestyle brands, with a proven track record of growing profitable market share and brand equity for listed and private companies. After joining the Fiskars Group in 2010, Bachler has held various marketing, business and product development roles across different categories. Prior to joining Fiskars, Bachler worked for the renowned jewellery and crystal fashion brand Swarovski in various leadership positions across the globe, accumulating a profound understanding of how to build international luxury and lifestyle brands.

“At Fiskars Group our sustainability work is driven by our purpose: pioneering design to make the everyday extraordinary. The fact that Positive Luxury is working on changing the industry, for the good of all, inspires me to participate in their activities.”

Ure Utah
Sustainability Pioneer and Founder of Bridge Synergy

A sustainability pioneer, passionate changemaker, visionary leader, champion of young people and fierce advocate for Women, Ure Utah has played integral roles at behemoths including Google, YouTube, Palantir and JP Morgan. She now leads Bridge Synergy, an organisation committed to igniting transformation in Nigeria.

“Luxury should inspire, not exploit. The Positive Luxury Awards resonates with my belief in the transformative power of connection to drive progress. This platform champions the luxury industry’s commitment to uplifting communities and nurturing our planet, a mission that inspires and excites me.”

Lucy Harris

Founding Partner, Altrua

Lucy has been a headhunter for 25 years. She has hired more than 300 leaders into global retailers and brands within the Fashion, Lifestyle, General Merchandise and Consumer sectors. With experience from Heidrick & Struggles as well as leading specialist boutiques, her personal style is highly respected by clients and candidates alike. Shaping strong board teams, Lucy has enabled businesses and leaders to take brave decisions. Her grasp of omni-channel organisational models and emerging trends in talent combine, as she continues to modernise brands regardless of their route to market.

“One of our values is EXCELLENCE; we seek individuals and entities who, by deﬁnition, make things great. Altrua act with and require Purpose. Having worked with Positive Luxury, we believe Positive Luxury are driving a movement. We are proud to support the work that you do.”

Eloise Hanson
Editor, Boutique Hotel News

Eloise joined IHM in September 2019 as reporter for Boutique Hotel News and was promoted to editor – hospitality in July 2023, overseeing BHN and its sister website Serviced Apartment News. She broadly covers the global boutique, lifestyle and luxury hotel industry, as well as serviced apartments, aparthotels and corporate housing. As a multimedia journalist, Eloise contributes to daily news articles, a weekly e-newsletter and monthly features, in addition to each brand’s podcast and webinar series.

“The rhetoric that luxury and sustainability cannot coexist needs urgently reshaping, and Positive Luxury is leading that conversation. Taking part in the awards is a great opportunity to showcase the ESG achievements of innovative businesses within the luxury sector – there’s much to learn.”

Chrystal Webster
Co-Founder, The Luxury Editor

Chrystal is Co-Founder of The Luxury Editor, a trusted digital lifestyle magazine that celebrates not only the exclusive and the luxurious, but also the unusual, innovative, and new – with a partnership portfolio that includes NetJets, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels & Resorts, The Dalmore, The Glenlivet, and Royal Salute. Her career as a digital marketeer spans almost two-decades, in which time, she has crafted and led the execution of digital communication strategies for high-profile international brands within the luxury sector and with a passion for nurturing the growth of independent start-ups her expertise is highly adaptable.

“I am delighted to be on the panel for this year’s Positive Luxury Awards. The Positive Luxury purpose of transforming luxury and building a sustainable future is truly inspirational. Some of our clients and partners have achieved (or are currently working towards) the Butterfly Mark so to help showcase and commend other businesses that are proactively supporting this mission and working towards the greater good is a real honour.”

Angel Tan
CEO, The House Directory

Angel is a trained architect, interior designer, and entrepreneur; having previously founded companies in the luxury fashion and property development sectors. Now, CEO of The House Directory, the original online sourcebook for interior design and decoration. Angel has been tasked with transforming the 24yr old business, into a thriving platform, which celebrates and promotes craftsmanship as well as longevity and wellness in design. This spring will see the launch of a new book, titled “The Restoration Guide”, as well as a debut event showcasing makers and bespoke design, in partnership with the long-established Decorative Fair in Battersea.

“I’m honoured to be a judge for this year’s Positive Luxury Awards. I believe that luxury businesses and those who lead them wield a powerful voice and influence. It’s important to acknowledge those who place sustainability at the core of their organisations, as they will inspire others to do the same and be instrumental in tipping the balance globally towards positive change and a better future for us all.”

Penny Sainsbury
Founder, PERIDOT

Founder of PERIDOT, a traditional and new media communications agency, Penny works across luxury lifestyle, property and interior design. A passionate advocate for sustainability, and the duty luxury brands have to pioneer this, Penny has honed a career working with some of the biggest names in luxury design and property. Through her work with highly entrepreneurial creators and innovators, Penny has an acute appreciation for the power of the collective and what it takes to drive change and impact thought. Her approach is backed by knowledge and research, her understanding of the UK and international wealth landscapes, and the temperaments and values of ultra and high net worth individuals.

“I am honoured to be a member of this year’s Positive Luxury Awards judging panel. I believe that being a luxury brand today means being sustainable. Working across the design and property industries, we still see a huge amount of ‘by product’. It is a time for change and to stay relevant and engaged, brands need to align their values with those of their high-net-worth clients more than ever. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it is imperative that luxury and sustainability coexist.”

Tony Cleary MBE
Group Chief Executive Officer, Lanchester Group

Tony and Veronica Cleary founded Lanchester Wine Cellars in 1980, which has since grown into the Lanchester Group comprising over 550 employees across various UK and Irish businesses, from wine wholesaling to renewable energy. Starting with a modest investment, the Clearys’ dedication to the business saw its evolution from a home-based operation to acquiring the Greencroft Estate in 2000. The group has invested over £8m in renewable energy, making significant strides in sustainability. Recognised for his contributions, Tony received an MBE in 2020 for International Trade and Export.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2024 AWARDS HERE

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