Scottish luxury brand Strathberry announced the appointment of Martin Byrne as its new managing director as it sets its sights on reaching £100 million in revenue within the next three years.
Byrne is currently chief commercial officer at Monica Vinader.
He brings a wealth of experience from leading roles in high-end consumer brands and will join the company in November, working closely with founders Guy and Leeanne Hundleby to drive forward Strathberry’s ambitious global growth strategy.
Byrne’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Strathberry, which reported a 53% increase in turnover to £27 million for FY24, representing a 55% compound annual growth rate since FY21.
Strathberry’s growth has been fuelled by strong demand for its luxury leather goods, particularly in North America, which saw a 90% increase in sales last year.
Additionally, the Middle East and Japanese markets have exhibited significant online growth, at 143% and 61% respectively, as the brand continues to expand its global footprint.
The brand’s success has been underpinned by an £8 million investment from Business Growth Fund (BGF) in 2021, aimed at accelerating its growth trajectory.
Byrne’s leadership will be instrumental in leveraging this investment to further enhance Strathberry’s e-commerce capabilities, expand its retail presence, and strengthen wholesale partnerships.
“We are thrilled to welcome Martin Byrne to the Strathberry team during this exciting period of growth,” said Leeanne and Guy Hundleby, founders of Strathberry.
“Martin’s extensive experience in the luxury sector, coupled with his proven track record of driving growth, makes him the ideal candidate to help us capitalize on the numerous opportunities ahead.”
Byrne said: “Strathberry’s exceptional products and impressive recent performance speak volumes. After meeting Leeanne and Guy, it was clear to me that the brand has tremendous potential, and I am eager to contribute to its continued success.”
Byrne has over 20 years of experience in managing and scaling luxury consumer brands in the jewellery and accessories sectors. At Monica Vinader Ltd, he played a key role in doubling the company’s sales to over £100 million and facilitating its sale to private equity firm Bridgepoint in 2023.
Byrne has also held senior positions at several notable luxury brands, including UK Managing Director and Global COO at Links of London, and Managing Director at Simon Harrison Ltd, which designed and made jewellery for prominent fashion brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Ted Baker, and Karen Millen.
Strathberry is an Edinburgh-based and internationally known fashion brand founded by husband-and-wife team Guy and Leeanne Hundleby in 2013.
The brand is now stocked in more than 90 stores worldwide, with its own stores in Edinburgh and London.