The Business

Selfridges was bought by its current chairman, Galen Weston, in 2003. He and his wife Hilary are closely involved with the development and growth of the company and their daughter Alannah is creative director.

Mr Weston is also chairman of Wittington Investments, one of the premier luxury retail groups in Europe and Canada, which includes Holt Renfrew, Selfridges and Brown Thomas.

Allan Leighton was appointed deputy chairman in January 2004.

Paul Kelly became chief executive of Selfridges in February 2004, after ten years as managing director of Brown Thomas in Dublin. He has worked with the Weston family for over 20 years.

In the year ended 31 January 2009, Selfridges’ sales rose by 6 per cent to £809 million and profit grew by 8 per cent to £88.1 million.

Selfridges Oxford Street