Somerset-based luxury fashion brand Mulberry has appointed former Dyson Group finance chief Neil Ritchie as group finance director as it continues on its recovery from several loss-making years.
Mr Ritchie takes up his new role at the group, best known for its designer leather bags, on May 16. Existing group finance director Roger Mather is to step down from the Mulberry board but will stay at the firm until the end of June to support a smooth transition. 
Mulberry, which has its headquarters and a factory at Chilcompton, has endured several troubled years after a disastrous bid to go upmarket. But last December it revealed pre-tax profit s of £100,000 in the half-year to September 30 against a £1.1m loss in the same period the year before following the launch of less expensive products.
Mr Ritchie has spent the past 14 years with Malmesbury-based household appliance innovators Dyson where he held a number of commercial and financial roles across UK, Europe, North America and Asia. He was most recently global commercial financial director reporting to the CFO of Dyson.
A chartered accountant (FCA), having trained with Price Waterhouse (now PwC) in London, he brings extensive financial and international experience to Mulberry, according to a statement from the firm.
Mulberry chief executive Thierry Andretta, said: “We are delighted to welcome Neil to Mulberry. His experience in developing and managing international business with a leading, innovative British brand will be very valuable during this exciting period for Mulberry.”
