Meet the Judges

Sean Ghouse is the UK Retail Director for Fortnum & Mason, with a career in Retail which began almost 30 years ago, working part time in menswear brand Ciro Citterio on Regent Street, whilst attending university completing a BA honours in Human Resource Management & Psychology at Southbank University. Sean’s passion for product, customers andRead more >...

Gill Smith is the Managing Director at The Perfume Shop and has spent over 20 years working in the FMCG sector. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, she held various senior finance roles in the wines and spirits industry early on in her career before moving into retail in 2006 when she joined The PerfumeRead more >...

Liz is the founder of Future HR specialising in Strategy, People & Organisation Development, Business & HR Transformation & Change Liz wears several hats working as an Independent  Consultant, Non-Executive Director, Interim Executive Leader and Adviser to Boards, CEO’s and People Leaders, with a track record of very successfully assisting many of our most recognisedRead more >...

Penny Grivea is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in the luxury and lifestyle sectors. She is now the CEO of Ashleigh & Burwood, a leading home fragrance brand with a 30-year heritage, under Literacy Capital’s leadership. Previously, as Managing Director of Rituals UK & Ireland, Penny spearheaded the brand’s expansion fromRead more >...

Giles Smith is a world class, global digital technology leader with a proven track record in building outstanding product, delivery and engineering teams. He is passionate about fostering diverse, bottom-up, and empowered cultures that prioritise teamwork. Giles has deep industry knowledge in digital strategy, technology, and customer experience, coupled with effective communication and on-time, on-budgetRead more >...

Fiona Lambert is one of the UK’s foremost businesswomen, with over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry. She has held senior roles at prominent brands such as Jaeger at M&S, Next, Asda, Dunelm, and River Island. Fiona was instrumental in launching George, the UK’s first fashion supermarket brand, in 1990, and later expandedRead more >...

Glynn Davis is a recognised authority in retail and renowned business journalist, delivering insightful articles and commentary on the industry and across a range of publications, including The Retail Bulletin, Caterer, Propel, and Computer Weekly. He is the founder and editor of Retail Insider and offers consultancy and media advisory services to various businesses. WithRead more >...

Martin Newman, The Consumer Champion, is a globally renowned authority in Customer Centricity and Customer Experience. With four decades of experience in the consumer-facing sector, he has revolutionised multichannel operations for brands like Burberry, Ted Baker, Intersport, and Harrods and scaled and sold global ecommerce agency Practicology. As the Founder of The Customer First Group and Customer ServiceRead more >...

Jo, appointed as CEO in 2009, has led the Institute, achieving a 150% membership growth and establishing the UK Customer Satisfaction Index as a national benchmark. With over 11 years at Aviva plc and a non-executive director role at Aegon UK, Jo brings a wealth of commercial experience, focusing on integrating customer service into boardroomRead more >...

Phil Vickers, the Director of HR at Charles Tyrwhitt for over six years, has been a driving force in shaping a workplace culture rooted in transparency and open communication. As a crucial member of the operating board, he strategically builds an environment where employees thrive, achieving a delicate balance between challenge and support. Phil’s leadershipRead more >...