Simon Berry to retire from Berry Bros. & Rudd after 40 years

Berry Bros. & Rudd has announced that chairman Simon Berry will be replaced by Lizzy Rudd when he retires in December after 40 years with the business 

Berry has spent the past 12 years as chairman of the board for Britain’s ninth oldest family-owned business and the industry veteran will step down from his position on December 1 this year.

“It has been a great honour to have worked at Berry Bros & Rudd since 1977, and to have been chairman since 2005," said Berry. "However I’ve always believed that the right time to retire is not when you’re ready but when your successors are ready, and that time is now. 

“It’s been a joy to be part of something so special for so many years and I know I’m leaving the business in the best possible hands.”

Berry will continue to work on the family board and curate the company archives to preserve the stories from the past 300 years, while his successor Lizzy Rudd be promoted from deputy chairman.

Rudd said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside Simon for so many years, developing the strategy and focus for the business to ensure its success continues over the next 300 years.

"I speak on behalf of the business as well as both the Berry and Rudd families when I say we will miss Simon’s daily presence immensely.

“With the support of Dan Jago (chief executive), as well as Geordie Willis (creative director and eighth generation Berry) and my brother Edward Rudd (finance transformation director), I look forward to chairing the company in this exciting new chapter.”

Berry has recently been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list, receiving the CVO (Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) for services rendered to the Royal Household. He has served on the Royal Household Wine Committee since 1994, and continues to hold the office of clerk of the Royal Cellars.

During his 40-year stint with the company, Berry instigated the launch of the duty-free shops at Heathrow airport, instigated the development of its first website, and in 2000 he was helped create the Berrys’ Events and Education operations.

Berry also launched BB&R Press during is time with the brand and was most recently involved in the development of the company’s new shop at 63 Pall Mall in central London. 

Berry now plans to pursue his original vocation as a writer.