Mary Portas

Mary Portas is recognised as the UK’s foremost authority on retail and brand communication.

The British media have crowned Mary “Queen of Shops”.

Beginning her retail career in John Lewis, Harrods and Topshop, Mary joined Harvey Nichols, progressing to the Board as Creative Director in 1989.

Portas was credited with leading Harvey Nics’ transformation into a world renowned fashion store.

In 1997, Mary launched her own agency, producing challenging campaigns and championing brand development for clients including Clarks, Louis Vuitton, Oasis, Swarovski, Dunhill, Boden, Thomas Pink, Patek Philippe and Westfield.

Television:

Inspired by her weekly ‘Shop!’ column in the Telegraph Magazine, Mary’s television career began in 2007 when her efforts to rescue failing independent boutiques were documented in the BBC2 series Mary Queen of Shops.  The show was nominated for two Royal Television Society Awards and a BAFTA.

Other shows include:

• Mary, Queen of Charity Shops
• Mary Portas: Secret Shopper
• Mary, Queen of Frocks
• Mary’s Bottom Line
• Mary, Queen of the High Street

Author:

Mary has published three books, Windows: The Art of Retail Display, and How to Shop. In February 2015 she released Shopgirl, a memoir of her early years. She has also developed a series of master classes on successful retailing.

The Portas Review:

Mary’s continued advocacy of our High Streets led to her receiving a commission from the British Government to lead an independent review.

The Portas Review outlined 28 recommendations to rescue failing High Streets. The Government, retailers and the public supported her plan, and Mary’s work has been a catalyst for community regeneration, and the re-visioning of high streets across the country.  The Government committed funds in excess of £10million to support the findings of her Review.

Mary was awarded a Doctorate of Letters in recognition of her contribution to the advancement of marketing and brand communication within the retail sector.

Mary Portas – Keynote Speaker:

Mary is invited to deliver keynote speeches at events all around the world to leading brands on topics such as:

• Consumer Behaviour
• Retailing
• Retail Strategy
• Branding
• Management
• Marketing
• Customer Experience
• Retail Challenges