John Smedley appoints new managing director

Fashion brand John Smedley has announced the appointment of Jess Mcguire Dudley as managing director, with immediate effect.

Previously deputy managing director and global brand director, Dudley is the company’s first managing director from a creative background.

She takes over from Ian Maclean MBE, a member of the Smedley family who has worked within the John Smedley business for the past 25 years and will now step into the executive chairman’s role.

According to John Smedley, Dudley has been pivotal in transforming the marketing and sales side of the business in recent years, refreshing the brand’s image and expanding its global presence.

She has also led on strategic plans that have given John Smedley “new relevance and increased presence” within the luxury knitwear sphere, from product projects and manufacturing overhauls to the reintroduction of our third-party production arm.

Dudley said: “There is a real love between me and this business, and I am determined to ensure it thrives for decades to come. Our brand values are to be British, iconic and responsible, and I stand by this vision.”