Jacqueline Gold, chief executive of the retail brand Ann Summers and Knickerbox, recently joined Stylist for a live web chat for our weekly Lunchtime Masterclass. Read the full transcript from the chat - including Jacqueline's many words of wisdom - in the transcript at the bottom of the page.
Jacqueline began her career at 21 when she started working for her father’s company, Ann Summers. In 1987, she was appointed chief executive and developed the brand into a multi-channel business with an annual sales turnover of over £150 million via high street stores, party planning and e-commerce. In 2000, she brought the lingerie company Knickerbox, transforming it from a business with losses of £5 million to one where sales now prosper.
Jacqueline has had no formal business training but attributes her success to hard work, determination and an understanding of women and their needs. She has received widespread recognition for her achievements, including being voted Retail Week's Most Powerful Woman in Business and Barclays Bank’s Most Inspirational Businesswoman in the UK.
Recently married with a one-year-old daughter, Jacqueline supports a number of charities including Breast Cancer Care and NAPAC. She appeared in the celebrity version of The Apprentice in 2008 and raised over £750,000 for Sport Relief.
See Jacqueline's answers and advice to queries posted to her in our recent live web chat, below.
