New beginnings: Clare Harrison-Empson departs Ted Baker following journey from shop floor to boardroom
Clare Harrison-Empson has left Ted Baker where she spent almost 25 years, most recently serving as Director of Operations, with responsibility for leading teams across global shipping, logistics, procurement, property and health and safety functions for the company.
In a LinkedIn post, she said: “Within a stone’s throw of 25 fantastic years, it is my time say farewell to Ted and to my wonderful colleagues, as I depart for a new beginning and my next chapter (after first taking a short sabbatical to rest, reset and spend some quality time with my family).”
“Reflecting on my time with “no ordinary” brand and taking a stroll down memory lane, my heart is full of love and appreciation for the business and family that I grew up within, as well as the wonderful colleagues, retail experts and the many dear friendships made along the way.”
She added: “The most recent years, in particular have been an incredible learning journey for me, that I have both embraced and thrived within - navigating and leading from the front with the teams, steering head on into the various macro-economic challenges faced by the world and our industry, Brexit, a global pandemic and a global supply chain crisis.”
“Not to forget the micro-economics of leading the curation and delivery of a brand new fabulous HQ and ways of working for Ted and the teams within the heart of Fitzrovia. A myriad of change and transformation that has put one’s resilience, tenacity and grit to the test within these unprecedented of times - all of which I have loved!”
Harrison-Empson said she that leaves Ted Baker with “overriding feelings of pride, excitement and anticipation for my next adventure”.
“I am eternally grateful and give sincere thanks to the business, the teams, external partnerships and to those who supported and nurtured me through the gift of countless opportunities. Those opportunities have helped to develop, grow and shape me as a leader, professionally and personally over the years.”
“Also, my immense gratitude to those who inspired, coached, guided and mentored me at the different stages of my career progression - from the shop floor in the nineties to the boardroom in 2023.”
Carole Kingsbury
Carole Kingsbury also recently departed Ted Baker, having served as Director of IT.
She joined the company in 2019 as Head of Project Delivery, before taking on the role of Head of Business Solutions in 2020, and then Director of IT in 2022.
Ted Baker has been cutting head office jobs following its acquisition by Authentic Brands Group.
The latter outsourced Ted Baker stores and its e-commerce site to retail management business AARC in April.
Kingsbury now plans to take a break over the summer, with nothing new as yet lined up. “Not often we get the opportunity to take a break in our world,” she told RTIH.
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