Winser to cut her cloth in provocative new role
KIM Winser, Britain’s fashion darling who oversaw the rehabilitation of Pringle and revived trench-coat maker Aquascutum, has been hired as a senior adviser by private equity titan 3i.
Winser, who quit in May as chief executive of the raincoat firm after her staged management buyout collapsed, will advise 3i on its retail and consumer investments.
3i’s retail portfolio includes highly desirable lingerie chain Agent Provocateur and mid-market women’s clothing firm Hobbs.
Winser spent two decades with high street bellwether Marks & Spencer, where her roles included divisional director for womenswear.
During her five year stint as boss of Pringle, she transformed it from a stuffy Scottish golf brand to high fashion catwalk material.
It is believed she may join Agent Provocateur’s board in a matter of months and has been commanded to work on the company’s growth plans.
Since leaving Aquascutum, Winser was linked to a role at luxe fashion house Versace and also was one of the candidates tipped to succeed M&S’s Sir Stuart Rose.