Investor Relations | Corporate Governance

The QCA Code

Dear Shareholder,

On behalf of the board of directors of Mulberry (the “Board”), I am pleased to make this statement which sets out the Board’s approach to corporate governance. The Board recognises the importance of high standards of corporate governance and considers that the Company’s success is enhanced by a strong corporate governance framework. As Chairman of the Board, one of my responsibilities is to ensure that this framework is maintained. In accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies, the Board formally adopted the Quoted Companies Alliance Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the “Code”) in 2018. The Code is based on 10 principles, aimed at delivering growth, maintaining a dynamic management framework and building trust. The table below provides an explanation of how Mulberry currently applies the principles of the Code. Further information on the Board’s corporate governance procedures can be found on the Investor Relations website and in the Annual Report.

Chris Roberts, Chairman
18 June 2024

Billie O'Connor

Billie O’Connor, 43, is Chief Financial Officer, having joined Mulberry and been appointed to the Board on 17 February 2025. She is CIMA qualified. Ms O’Connor has 20 years’ finance experience in the retail and consumer goods sectors, including roles encompassing M&A, IT services, warehousing and distribution and transformation. She was previously CFO and CIO for Milk & More, part of Müller Group (2021-24), having held various senior finance roles within Selfridges Group (2016-2020) and Walgreens Boots Alliance (2010-2015). Ms O’Connor is also the founder, sole shareholder and director of the NOVA Community Ltd, a female networking association and a Committee member of The Twenty Club, a retail executive dining club. Her retail experience across a range of both listed and privately owned consumer brands enables her to bring insight of both physical store and e-commerce trading, coupled with strong stakeholder management.

Christopher Roberts

Christopher (“Chris”) Roberts FCCA, 61, is Chairman of the Board (appointed 30 September 2022). He was appointed to the Board on 6 June 2002 and held the position of Chair of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee from 2013 to 30 September 2022. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. He is managing director of Como Holdings (UK) Ltd which has retail, hotel and real estate operations in the UK and was formerly Finance Director of an AIM listed financial services group. Como Holdings (UK) Ltd is a company ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong. Mr Roberts has a broad experience of international property markets, the branded luxury hospitality sector and global financial markets.

Steven Grapstein

Steven Grapstein CPA, 67, was appointed as Director on 17 November 2003 and was appointed as Chairman of the Audit Committee on 7 May 2013. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Como Holdings USA Inc., an international investment group with extensive interests in the retail and hotel industries. He serves on the Board of Directors of Urban Edge, a US publicly listed company on the New York Stock Exchange, and is the Chairman of their Governance Committee and a member of their Audit committee. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of David Yurman corp., a privately held US entity and creator of luxury jewellery and time pieces where he is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Governance Committee. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr Grapstein was a director of and then Chairman of the Board of Tesoro Corporation, a US publicly held Fortune 100 company engaged in the oil and gas industry, a position he held until 2015. Having served as Chief Executive Officer, he then became Chairman of Presidio International dba A/X Armani Exchange, a fashion retail company, until its sale on 15 May 2014. Como Holdings USA Inc. is ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong. Mr Grapstein has extensive knowledge of the North American retail market and is experienced in corporate finance and US capital markets.

Melissa Ong

Melissa Ong, 51, is Chairman of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee (appointed on 30 September 2022). She was appointed to the Board on 7 September 2010. She is currently Director of Activities of Como Hotels and Resorts, a company ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong, overseeing the experiential element of hospitality in each destination. She is a director/manager of Mojo Pte Ltd, an investment holding company managing investments in technology, food and beverage, hospitality, real estate and public securities and funds. She manages the endowment portfolio of COMO Foundation where she serves as a director. She is a director of Knowhere Pte Ltd. She holds Board positions with the following not-for-profit organisations: Center for Civilians in Conflict; Internews (US Board Director) and Mandai Nature Fund Ltd. She is also a director of each of Will Focus Ltd, COMO Pte Ltd and Como Holdings Pte Ltd, companies which are ultimately owned by Mr Ong Beng Seng and Mrs Christina Ong. Ms Ong is highly experienced in the luxury hospitality sector and brings insight into the Asian market. Her knowledge of relevant technology and application to digital and social media marketing is valuable in relation to enhancing the luxury customer experience.

Christophe Cornu

Christophe Cornu, 61, was appointed on 7 May 2013 and is an independent Director. With effect from 1 March 2023, Mr Cornu is Senior Vice President, Director of Special Projects Zone Europe, Société des Produits Nestlé SA, after having previously served as President of Nestlé France SA, CEO of Nestlé Suisse SA, and Chief Commercial Officer for Nestlé Nespresso S.A. Mr Cornu is also a member of the Supervisory Board (Conseil de Surveillance) of Unowhy S.A. and a Non-Executive Director of De’Longhi S.p.A. Mr Cornu is a marketing leader with a track record of developing major brands and break through concepts. He is consumer focussed, with a complete view from brand purpose development through to marketing execution and provides valuable insight and challenge on brand and marketing related issues.

Leslie Serrero

Leslie Serrero, 50, was appointed to the Board on 7 September 2023 and is an independent Director. Ms Serrero has an MBA from Harvard Business School and extensive experience of luxury brand leadership. She has been International Managing Director of US luxury group Casa Kosmos Brands Group since October 2022, having previously held senior executive roles at Fendi France (2019-2022), Christian Dior Couture (2012-2019) and Lacoste SA (2009-2012). Prior to this, Ms Serrero was a project leader at Boston Consulting Group for six years, advising companies in the retail, consumer and fashion sectors on transformation and growth strategies.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is chaired by Mr Steven Grapstein. The other members of the Committee are Mr Christophe Cornu and Ms Leslie Serrero (appointed 7 September 2023 to replace Ms Julie Gilhart). During the year all Directors have been encouraged to attend Audit Committee meetings where possible as part of the programme to maintain the Group’s systems of internal control. The Committee may examine any matters relating to the financial affairs of the Group. This includes the review of the annual financial statements, the interim financial statements and other financial announcements, prior to their approval by the Board, together with accounting policies and compliance with accounting standards, and of internal control procedures and monthly financial reporting, and other related functions as the Committee may require. The Non-Executive Directors have access to the Group’s auditor and legal advisers at any time without the Executive Directors being present.

Investor Relations | Corporate Governance | Mulberry

Corporate Governance

The QCA Code

Billie O'Connor

Non-Executive Directors

Christopher Roberts

Steven Grapstein

Melissa Ong

Christophe Cornu

Leslie Serrero

Audit Committee

News releases

Latest Reports

Current Share Price

Corporate Governance

The QCA Code

Billie O'Connor

Non-Executive Directors

Christopher Roberts

Steven Grapstein

Melissa Ong

Christophe Cornu

Leslie Serrero

Audit Committee

News releases

Latest Reports

Current Share Price

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