Anya Hindmarch

Dame Anya Hindmarch is a globally recognised fashion entrepreneur and designer celebrated for building a luxury accessories brand defined by creativity, sustainability and playful innovation. Since founding her business in London in 1987, she has pioneered responsible design through projects like I Am A Plastic Bag and Return To Nature, regained ownership of her company in 2020 to lead its turnaround, and was awarded a damehood in 2024 for services to fashion and business. Her experiential retail concepts, including The Village on Pont Street and the beloved Ice Cream Project, demonstrate how bold creativity can transform customer experience, equipping audiences with practical strategies for building authentic, values-led brands that drive both commercial success and meaningful change.

When Anya Hindmarch regained ownership of her handbag company in 2020, she returned to lead a turnaround that would redefine what a luxury accessories brand could achieve. From founding her business in London in 1987 with a vision rooted in creativity, modern craftsmanship and personalisation, she has built a global brand that challenges convention at every turn. Awarded a damehood in 2024 for services to fashion and business, and named Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year in 2012, Anya has consistently demonstrated that commercial success and creative boldness are not mutually exclusive. In 2026, she received a Royal Warrant by appointment to Queen Camilla as official manufacturer of handbags and leather goods, cementing her position at the forefront of British design.

Her credentials extend far beyond commercial achievement. Anya has pioneered sustainability initiatives that drive meaningful industry change, including I Am A Plastic Bag, Return To Nature and Waste Not Want Not, guided by the principle of progress over perfection. Her experiential retail concepts have transformed how customers engage with luxury brands, from The Village on Pont Street, a community of interconnected stores and a café launched in 2021, to the beloved Ice Cream Project, which returns in 2026 with flavours inspired by iconic British household brands including OXO Stock Cubes and Mini Cheddars. As a trustee of the Tate and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, and emeritus trustee of both the Royal Academy of Arts and the Design Museum, she champions British creativity across multiple platforms. Her advisory role on The Board of Trade, appointed in 2023, further demonstrates her influence on national commerce and design policy. In 2021, she published her first book, the Sunday Times bestseller 'If In Doubt Wash Your Hair', sharing insights from decades of entrepreneurial experience.

Anya equips audiences with practical strategies for building authentic, values-led brands that balance creativity with commercial discipline. Her approach to sustainability, rooted in innovation rather than perfection, offers organisations a realistic framework for responsible growth. Through her experiences regaining control of her business and steering its turnaround, she delivers actionable insights on resilience, leadership and strategic decision-making during periods of transformation. Audiences leave with renewed confidence to take bold creative risks, implement experiential strategies that deepen customer connection, and lead businesses that reflect their values without compromising profitability. Her ability to translate decades of hands-on experience into accessible, inspiring guidance makes complex business challenges feel solvable, empowering leaders to create brands with lasting cultural and commercial impact.