Monday night at The Dorchester saw the leading lights of British luxury gather for the 2025 Walpole British Luxury Awards. In a room filled with the country’s finest brands and creative talent, the evening celebrated craftsmanship, culture and the contribution that luxury makes to the UK. Hosted by BAFTA and Olivier-nominated actor Omari Douglas, it was a night defined by both glamour and purpose.
Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the sector’s resilience and its importance to the UK. “Despite today’s headwinds, our contribution to the UK economy, culture and communities has never been greater,” she said, noting that British luxury contributes £81bn in value and supports nearly half a million sustainable jobs across the country.
Tom Athron, Chair of Walpole and CEO of Fortnum & Mason, set an optimistic tone for the year ahead. He described the sector as being at the crossroads of profound global and technological shifts but thriving through creativity and craftsmanship. “The UK luxury machine is humming,” he said. “Your work keeps the very best of Britain in the world’s consciousness… Luxury in the UK is the engine of our prosperity.”
Across the evening, honours were awarded to a remarkable group of brands and individuals including Sanderson, House of Swaine, Aston Martin, The Royal Ballet & Opera, Raymond Blanc, David Collins Studio, Hamilton & Inches, The Goodwood Art Foundation, Jamie Lloyd and Cush Jumbo OBE, who reminded the room that true luxury is “to have a pleasure obtained, if only rarely.”
A landmark moment for Gusbourne
Among these exceptional names, the final award of the night marked a milestone for our team: Gusbourne was named British Luxury Brand of the Year 2025.
Accepting the award, Jonathan White, CEO at Gusbourne, reflected on the journey that brought the estate to this moment. “We weren’t the first to plant vineyards in England and we are by no means the biggest producer,” he said. “But we are the first English wine producer to win a King’s Award for Enterprise and the only English vineyard to be listed in the World’s Top 50 Vineyards. We’re the only English winner of the Chairman’s Award at the CSWWC, a three-time recipient of the IWSC English Wine Producer of the Year award and the Wine GB Estate Winery of the Year trophy. Now, we are the first to be voted British Luxury Brand of the Year by Walpole.”
Jonathan added that simply being shortlisted for a category that has included names such as Cunard, Gleneagles, Mulberry, Boodles and Dunhill was an honour. “To have been recognised by, and voted for by, the chief executives of fellow luxury brands and members of Walpole who demonstrate a similar emphasis on high quality, detail and craft is wonderful.”
This award is a testament to every person in the Gusbourne team – in the vineyards, in the winery, at the Nest and across the business – whose dedication to quality, precision and craft defines everything we do.
We are proud to represent the very best of modern British luxury and raise a glass to everyone who has supported us on this journey.
