Fortnum & Mason CEO to quit for arts job

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 9, 2020

Fortnum & Mason CEO Ewan Venters is leaving the luxury department store after eight years to take up the top role at international art gallery Hauser & Wirth.

The retail leader started his career at Sainsbury’s before joining high-end department store Selfridges, where he served as head of food, restaurants and online. In 2012, he was approached by the billionaire Weston family, who own both Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason, to join the food and gifts emporium.

Venters has become one of the most prominent names in British retailing, having overseen a dramatic transformation of the underperforming West End store into one of London’s most popular shopping destinations.

During his tenure, Fortnum & Mason has opened satellite branches in St Pancras, Dubai and Heathrow, overhauled its e-commerce offering and reported consistent profit and sales growth.

The specialist retailer is now popular with both British shoppers and tourists, and while it has become known for its hampers and tea range, it also sells a selection of luxury accessories and beauty products.

Hauser & Wirth said Venters will take up his new position at the art gallery in January 2021. The search for a successor at Fortnum & Mason is under way.