Neptune appoints Will Kernan as chairman

British interiors and lifestyle brand Neptune has appointed Will Kernan as its chairman.

Kernan joins Neptune’s senior leadership team to closely support CEO Aalish Yorke-Long in executing exciting plans to lead the brand into its next stage of growth.

It said Kernan has “extensive” retail experience, and will continue in his role as chairman at luxury biscuit brand Biscuiteers. Kernan’s previous roles include three years as CEO at British fashion retailer River Island, two years as CEO at online sportswear specialist Wiggle Chain Reaction Group and five years as The White Company’s CEO.

Neptune added he will bring “expert knowledge and valuable experience” in his new role as Neptune’s chairman, providing strategic guidance and support.

Kernan is the latest in a series of appointments at Neptune aimed at bolstering the senior leadership team curated by Yorke-Long, the company’s first CEO who joined the business in November 2022.

New hires include commercial director Jamie Bennet (Burberry, Soho Home, Made.com, Aesop and Pangaia), head of Marketing Harry Melsom (Meta, Google, Soho Home) and head of Product Lauren Quelch Woolls (Made.com, Soho Home, The White Company, Marks and Spencer).

Kernan said: “It is a privilege to be joining this iconic British design brand as Chairman. Neptune is a unique proposition in the market thanks to its design expertise and high-quality manufacturing capabilities, its extensive retail network and deep brand awareness. I look forward to building on these strong foundations and working with Aalish and her team to move the brand forward.”

Yorke-Long added: “We are thrilled that Will is bringing his skills as a retail leader to Neptune. His extensive knowledge of the luxury and retail sectors will provide invaluable support to our senior team as we build and execute our strategies to drive the brand forward at a very exciting time in its history.”