Peter was Executive Chairman of JD Sports Fashion plc (the JD Group) from 2005 to May 2022. Under his leadership, the Group developed significantly, from a breakeven position when he joined, to generating a profit before tax and exceptional items of £991 million and revenues of over £10 billion (for the financial year ended 2023).

The Group underwent a period of extensive global expansion from being UK centric to trading from 3,400 stores across 27 territories worldwide. This was achieved by a combination of organic growth and acquisition, the largest of which was Finish Line, headquartered in the USA, in 2018. Finish Line was a NASDAQ listed company with a $558M valuation.

In 2019, the JD Group was confirmed by Bloomberg news agency to be the “Best Performing Share of the Century” in respect of shareholder returns. An investment of £100,000 upon Peter’s commencement of tenure would have achieved a value of £10,000,000 [£10 million] prior to his departure.

Peter is a Chartered Accountant and prior to his career at JD Sports Fashion plc, he set up his own accountancy practice, Cowgills, in Bolton, Lancashire. Cowgills is now one of the largest accountancy firms in the North of England with offices in Bolton, Manchester and Liverpool.

Peter is currently the Chairman of The Fragrance Shop and Undercover Brothers (Crep Protect Shoe Care). He is also a strategic advisor to the Boards of AK Retail Holdings (Yours Clothing), Pavers Shoes and the Mentor Group.

Edoardo is a member of the leadership team at Google’s EMEA HQ in Dublin, where he heads the Large Customer Sales Team for Italy, Spain, and Portugal.

Prior to joining Google in 2018, he collected extensive international experience from roles at BCG (Italy & Middle East), Tesco (UK), and STMicroelectronics (Italy & Japan), spanning sales, business development, and strategy. Beyond his corporate career, Edoardo is also the founder of a footwear and accessories fashion brand (Bote A Mano).

Meet Holly Hayes, a creative personal brand strategist and social media expert who has worked with some of the biggest brands and creators.

From the likes of L’Oréal, where she was responsible for starting their TikTok and managing their social channels and most recently Steven Bartlett / The Diary Of A CEO. Where she spoke to an audience of over 7 million daily, published 200 pieces of content per month and was responsible for creating viral content. She is now working with one of the biggest media companies in the world. Dear Media, an American business championing over 70 female creatives in the entertainment space.

Matthew is the owner and founder of Echochamber; a London based creative retail intelligence agency, which travels the world tracking retail innovation and evolving consumer trends.

A regular keynote speaker at global retail conferences, Matthew can be found pounding the shopping streets of the world with his camera in hand!

Matthew has run Echochamber since 1999, developing it over the past 26 years into a specialist trend consultancy with a global client base of retailers, developers and FMCG brands.

Echochamber provides creative insight and global best practice analysis to clients across all retail sectors, in order to help them benchmark best practice and improve their businesses, by harnessing evolving global consumer and retail trends.

Echochamber also offers Retail Safaris to the world’s best shopping cities, which are designed to energise and inspire client businesses with new possibilities.

Clients include retailers from around the world, both big and small. Echochamber has worked closely with big brands such as Marks & Spencer, IKEA for more than two decades, helping them develop new concepts and keeping them informed of the latest retail innovations.

Other clients include Tesco, WalMart, Nike, Adidas, FMCGs such as Unilever, Lindt and Johnson & Johnson, as well as leading global shopping mall developers such as Westfield, Majid Al Futtaim, Lend Lease and many global airport and Duty Free operators. echochamber.com is an online magazine of global retail innovation which first went live in 1999, back in the early days of the internet. You can also find regular retail inspiration on Instagram @myechochamber and on Linkedin.

Tommy has supported Retail Excellence members since 2007. TSA services include HR Consultancy, Conflict Resolution, Employment Law, Training and an online HR application, TrainStationHR.

Tommy and his team take a pro-active approach to HR Management, working with members to improve their HR processes and providing expert advice regarding compliance with Employment Law while acknowledging the practicalities of being in business. Further information on TSA can be found on www.tsaconsultants.ie

William Diamond is an entrepreneur and design expert with a lifelong passion for interiors, craftsmanship, and retail innovation. He started his first interiors business at the age of 21 and, through vision and determination, expanded it into a successful chain of five stores by the time he was 32. However, like many in the industry, he faced immense challenges during the economic crash of 2008-2011, ultimately losing his business. Instead of walking away, William used the experience to rebuild—creating a stronger, more focused company that thrives today with a single flagship location.

This journey led to the founding of Diamond Furniture, where William has redefined what it means to run a modern retail brand. With a deep understanding of product design, customer experience, and market trends, he has built a business that values quality over quantity, emphasizing craftsmanship, sustainability, and timeless aesthetics. He is also the creative force behind Will and Co, Diamond Furniture’s in-house brand, which reflects his dedication to enduring design and expert craftsmanship.

William’s career has given him extensive experience in product development, retail strategy, and brand building, always with an eye on the evolving relationship between design and the way people live. His hands-on approach, from concept to execution, ensures that his work not only meets high aesthetic and functional standards but also resonates with modern consumers.

Beyond his own ventures, William is a passionate advocate for innovation in retail and craftsmanship, frequently sharing insights on the intersection of design, business, and customer experience. His journey—from early success to navigating economic challenges and emerging stronger—serves as a testament to the power of adaptability, resilience, and strategic reinvention.

By Car:

• From Dublin: Lyrath Estate is about 1.5 hours (130 km) south of Dublin. Take the M9 motorway southbound, then follow the signs for Kilkenny and the N10. The hotel is located just a short drive from the city center.
• From Cork: It’s about 2.5 hours (160 km) north of Cork. Take the N8 towards Dublin, then the M8 and follow signs for Kilkenny.

By Train:

• From Dublin: Take a train from Dublin Heuston Station to Kilkenny (about 1.5 hours). Once at Kilkenny station, you can take a short taxi ride to Lyrath Estate (approximately 10 minutes).

By Bus:

• Several bus services run from Dublin and other major cities to Kilkenny. From Kilkenny bus station, a short taxi ride will take you to the hotel.

By Air:

• The nearest airport is Waterford Airport (about 1 hour away), but most travelers fly into Dublin Airport and drive or take a train from there.

Please check with your transportation provider for the most up-to-date schedules and routes!