Portmeirion Group has appointed two former Denby Pottery executives to senior leadership roles as the ceramics manufacturer continues its turnaround plans.
The homewares group has announced that Jane Mason and Hayley Baddiley will take up roles as UK & Europe Director and Group Marketing Director respectively on 1 July and report directly to new Group CEO Michael Scheepers.
He said: “The appointments of Jane and Hayley are another important step in delivering on our exciting growth plans for 2027 and beyond.
“Our strengthened executive leadership team enhances our mix of skills and experience around the table, as well as bringing a fresh transparency and purpose that will be vital to successfully delivering our transformation plan in full.”
Jane was Denby’s UK & Ireland Managing Director, and she previously held roles including Head of Sales for over 14 years at Le Creuset UK, UK Managing Director for DK Household Brands and Global Sales Director for the hospitality business Craster.
At Portmeirion Group, she will oversee commercial operations across the UK and Europe, including retail, e-commerce, business-to-business sales and customer relationships.
Jane said: “I’m delighted to be joining the company at this exciting moment in its journey, with a clear growth plan in place and exciting opportunities ahead.
“I look forward to becoming part of the team and working closely with Michael again, using my extensive sector experience to help the business achieve our ambitions.”
Hayley spent over a decade leading on Denby’s global marketing strategy and led the development and implementation of the high-profile #SaveDenby campaign earlier this year after the Derbyshire ceramics manufacturer entered administration.
The campaign attracted more than 100,000 signatures, prompting a Government response and securing a parliamentary debate on 6 July on industrial energy costs facing the UK ceramics sector.
In her new position, Hayley will lead the group’s brand and marketing strategy focusing on flagship brands including Spode, Portmeirion and Royal Worcester, with an emphasis on growing consumer engagement and strengthening the company’s position in key international markets.
She said: “Spode, Portmeirion and Royal Worcester all celebrate British craftmanship and design at its best and clearly illustrate the rich portfolio of homeware brands in the group.
“As the company continues to champion the UK ceramics sector, I’m looking forward to playing my part in elevating our brands on a global stage.”
The appointments follow Portmeirion Group’s recent £18.6 million fundraising, which is intended to reduce debt and support a long-term transformation programme aimed at returning the business to sustainable growth by 2027.
