CEO Year End Message

Here we are again, on the brink of a new year.

Looking back truly shows our resilience...

In March 2019, the world was hit by Covid-19.

In January 2020, the UK and Ireland decided to finalize the exit from the European community.

By October 2022, as we struggled to get back to normality, we announced the second of three PMs. Liz Trust crashed the UK economy.

The UK economy in 2023 reached the highest interest rates and economic downturn in 15 years, leading to inflation rates the highest in 20 years.

But along with the above, let us also not forget the devastating wars and disasters around the world that affect our everyday existence, especially those millions of innocents and less fortunate than ourselves.

Resilience, a powerful word that describes those of us who are still here to fight another day. As we look ahead, wondering what 2024 will bring, we should remember how lucky we are to have come through the last five years. Our industry has been challenged beyond anything any one of us could ever imagine, with few of us able to continue our journey of success and growth.

The team at BMG continued to fight to achieve a winning performance in 2023, and the SLT is well on its way to implementing the final systems and process changes in line with the group's 2023/24 strategies.

The group's new data hub in India and the opening of our Australian office and showrooms in Sydney, which will also coincide with the launch of our home textiles division, will further add to our strategic growth plans.

BMG will continue to invest in additional opportunities through 2024 with the launch of US Polo Assn in Africa, the brand's first store rollout starting in East Africa will build a strong brand presence while assisting partners to expand across the continent.

This, alongside our continuing commitment to the group's retail store rollout across the UK and Australia, will strengthen the group's multichannel strategy.

BMG will also continue to build on the strength and growth of its four direct-to-consumer fashion web businesses, with additional international launches in 2024, along with new site launches.

All this and the growing success of the recently launched Global New Balance Kids collections, alongside Wrangler kids EMEA, will assist in reaching the group's three-year goals set out in 2021.

We also continue in our charitable partnerships, adding further worthy causes, such as the White Rose charity, as well as working with other partners who have assisted us in planting thousands of trees in 2023, while continuing our efforts with partners US Polo Assn in removing plastic from our waters through the brand's LIFE projects.

We know none of this is possible without great service providers, brand partners, and retail partnerships, but most importantly, the relentless help of the Global BMG teams, who have worked beyond the day job to ensure our goals are met.

They, as most know, we are a challenging business, and we strive to challenge ourselves, our teams, and our business partners, as in doing so we can all continue to reach great heights.

Yes, it will be another challenging year, but remember to look in the mirror and be thankful for what you have, not what you don't, as many have far less than we do. Those are the people of the world we must always remember are the true victims of the past five years.

I and all the BMG team wish you a Happy and Healthy new Year, and thank those who have kept the flame alight in 2023.

Let us all work to change the tide of the last five years for all while making 2024 the year to achieve each of our dreams.