Michael Ward
Former managing director of Harrods
Michael Ward is a British retail executive best known as managing director of Harrods, the London luxury department store, from 2006. He led the store through its change of ownership from Mohamed Al Fayed to Qatar Holding in 2010 and has also chaired Walpole, the British luxury trade body.
| Role | Former managing director of Harrods |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Harrods |
| Managing director | From 2006 |
| Previous employer | Apax Partners |
| Other role | Chairman of Walpole |
Who is Michael Ward?
Michael Ward is the executive who ran Harrods, the Knightsbridge department store, as managing director from 2006. His tenure spanned two very different eras of ownership: the final years under Mohamed Al Fayed and the period after Qatar Holding acquired the store in 2010 for 1.5 billion pounds. He also served as chairman of Walpole, the trade body representing British luxury brands.
Career
Before joining Harrods, Ward was an executive at the private equity firm Apax Partners. He moved to Harrods during the Al Fayed era and became managing director, the role in which he led the store for a decade and more.
- Before 2006: executive at Apax Partners
- 2006: managing director of Harrods
- 2010: led the business through its sale to Qatar Holding
- 2016: chairman of Walpole while at Harrods
- 2016: announced plans to step down, later agreeing to stay on to oversee the Christmas trading period
In March 2016 it was reported that Ward would leave after a decade at the head of the store. Two months later he agreed to extend his tenure so that he could help oversee the key Christmas trading period, with the departure moved to the following year.
Influence on the fashion business
Harrods is one of the most important luxury retail destinations in the world, and its buying decisions matter to fashion, beauty and fine jewellery brands seeking a London showcase. During Ward's years in charge the store remained a key platform for international luxury houses and a destination for visitors to Knightsbridge from around the world.
His chairmanship of Walpole also gave him a role in representing the wider British luxury sector, which includes brands such as Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Jimmy Choo and Mulberry, in discussions on the industry's interests.
The 2010 sale for 1.5 billion pounds moved one of London's best known stores to a new owner, and Ward remained in charge of the business through that transition, providing continuity for staff, brands and customers.
Why it matters
Michael Ward's tenure at Harrods illustrates how a luxury department store can maintain its position through a change of ownership and the shift towards multichannel retail. His dual role at Harrods and Walpole made him one of the most influential voices in British luxury retail during the 2010s.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Michael Ward?
Michael Ward is a British retail executive who became managing director of Harrods in 2006 and led the store through its sale to Qatar Holding in 2010. He previously worked at Apax Partners and has chaired the luxury trade body Walpole.
Who owned Harrods while Michael Ward was managing director?
Ward joined during Mohamed Al Fayed's ownership. In 2010 Harrods was bought by Qatar Holding for 1.5 billion pounds, and Ward continued as managing director under the new owner.