Karen Millen CEO Beth Butterwick collects honorary doctorate

The woman who turned round the fortunes of Huddersfield fashion firm Bonmarché receives an Honorary Doctorate of the University for services to retail and business

ONE of the UK’s leading figures in the fashion world has hailed the “incredible entrepreneurial spirit” of Yorkshire people.

Beth Butterwick was the woman behind a dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of Huddersfield-based clothing company Bonmarché.  Now, she has returned to the town to receive an Honorary Doctorate from its University.

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It was conferred at one of the November graduation ceremonies taking place at the University.  An oration describing Beth Butterwick’s career was delivered by Dr Tracy Cassidy, who is Reader in Fashion and Textiles.

“Beth has had a tremendous impact on the fashion business throughout her career, which has included senior corporate positions with some of the world’s highest-profile fashion retailers,” said Dr Cassidy, who went on to describe Ms Butterwick as a highly motivated and creative entrepreneurial individual.

After starting her career with Marks and Spencer, Beth Butterwick then occupied key roles with Gap and the Amsterdam-based MS Mode.

In 2011, she returned to the UK to take up the role of Brand Director at Bonmarché, but eight weeks later the business was put into administration.

“However, Beth, now as CEO, led the successful sale of the business to Sun Europe LLP private equity and over the next five years at Bonmarché, she led the company through a massive turnaround, returning the business to profitability, rationalising its operations and finally successfully steering a stock market flotation in November 2013,” said Dr Cassidy.

Beth’s advice to the graduates also receiving awards at the ceremony she attended was to find their passion and their purpose.  “Happiness, success, prosperity and great sense of achievement will follow.”

Ms Butterwick is now CEO of Karen Millen, a fashion retailer with 400 shops in 65 countries.  Dr Cassidy praised her “combination of commercial and creative skills”, vital for success in the fashion industry.

After her Honorary Doctorate was conferred by University of Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan, Beth Butterwick told the audience of graduates and their families that she felt “honoured, privileged and humbled all at the same time”.

She said that she regarded her five years at Bonmarché as the pinnacle of her career.

“What I found in the people and county of Yorkshire is a determination to get things done when things are really tough, an incredible entrepreneurial spirit and warm welcoming people who help you get through your darkest days as well as celebrating your achievements,” said Ms Butterwick.