LeMieux raids Neal’s Yard Remedies to bring in James Davenport as its new Chief Financial Officer
LeMieux, a clothing, footwear and equestrian brand, has appointed James Davenport as Chief Financial Officer and Richard Cotter as Non-Executive Chairman. Davenport brings more than two decades of senior financial and operational leadership, with a career spanning finance, strategy, manufacturing, supply chain, technology and business transformation. He joins LeMieux from Neal’s Yard Remedies, where he served as Chief Finance Officer.
Prior to that, he spent more than 21 years at innocent drinks as Chief Operating Officer, joining the business during its early growth phase when it had a small team and annual revenues of around £7 million. During his tenure, he played a key role in the transformation and international expansion of the business, helping it grow to approximately £470 million in annual revenue. He was involved in supporting the launch into new international markets, establishing the company’s own manufacturing facility and supporting a business that now sells more than one million drinks every day.
Cotter, meanwhile, brings experience in consumer, retail and international brand businesses. He was previously Global Brand President at Berghaus, Chairman at Jack Wolfskin, and Executive Chairman at Jollyes Retail Group. He has also held a number of senior board and advisory roles across consumer and retail businesses and currently serves as Chairman at The Sleep Group, Absolute Collagen and the Kindred nursery group.
“LeMieux has built an exceptional brand with a passionate community, an outstanding reputation and an exciting vision for the future. I’m delighted to be joining the business at such an important stage in its journey and look forward to helping support its continued growth while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit and customer focus that have made the company so successful,” says Davenport.
“James brings an exceptional combination of financial leadership, operational expertise and experience scaling internationally recognised consumer brands. His track record of supporting sustainable growth and building high performing teams makes him an outstanding addition to our executive leadership team, and we’re delighted to welcome him to LeMieux,” says Dan Mahoney, CEO at LeMieux.
He adds: “Richard’s experience and leadership will be invaluable as LeMieux enters its next phase of growth. He brings a wealth of commercial and strategic expertise, and his appointment further strengthens our board as we continue to build LeMieux into a truly global equestrian and lifestyle brand.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Supply chain technology will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
