ME+EM founder Clare Hornby
(Picture: ME+EM)Fast growing fashion label ME+EM, whose admirers include the Duchess of Cambridge and Strictly presenter Claudia Winkelman, has hired a former Marks & Spencer clothing boss as chairman to help it crack America.
Maurice Helfgott will work alongside founder Clare Hornby to build online sales in the US where it has opened boutiques in New York and Boston.
America is already the brand’s fastest growing market and the business said it wants to make it “a key strategic focus for the company’s global expansion plans in the near term.”
ME+EM also plans to grow further into Australia, the Middle East, Canada, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.
Helfgott, who has run both the food and clothes empires for M&S, said: “I first met Clare 15 years ago and it’s been inspiring to see her bring a unique, driven approach that really understands what millions of women want from a luxury fashion brand.
“It’s rare to find a team so committed to their mission, so aligned with their audience and with such global potential. I’m thrilled to be joining at such a pivotal moment for the company, as it expands across the US and to further establish ME+EM as a global tour-de-force.”
Hornby said: “We’re embarking on an exciting new journey in accelerating the ME+EM brand’s growth in the US market, where it has already attracted a huge following.
“There are few people who truly understand the challenge and opportunity involved in scaling direct to consumer brands globally, but Maurice is one of those, and we’re delighted that he is joining us in this next chapter. ME+EM is intent on surpassing the expectations of this new market of busy women who trust us with their style.”
