Roger Saul is a renowned British businessman, who rose to fame after he founded Mulberry. Before founding the prestigious brand, Roger was granted a business scholarship at Westminster College but instead decided to pursue buying as a trainee with John Michael. Gaining invaluable experience, Roger soon developed a passion for the fashion industry that would shape his career as a fashion mogul. Joining forces with his mother in 1971, Roger and Joan founded Mulberry and began to sell fashionable items such as handbags and belts.
Before long Roger was stocking his high-quality products in boutique shops and ultimately produced collections for other famous designer brands such as Ralph Lauren, Kenzo and Burberry. After operating in the UK for some time, Roger decided to begin selling his products globally. As of the 1980s, he began to stock his prestigious handbags and fashion accessories in locations across Europe and even broaden operations to Japan. Throughout his 33 successful years of managing Mulberry, Roger has claimed countless awards. He has claimed the British Classic Designer of the Year award in 1992 and has claimed the Queen’s Award for Export twice. Today Mulberry is immensely successful boasting revenue of £168.5 million, a testament to Rogers humble beginnings and prowess as a businessman.
As well as handbags and fashion accessories, Roger also founded the Mulberry Home collection. Another immensely successful avenue of business, Roger was later prompted to open Charlton House Hotel as a venue to house his Mulberry Home collection. Charlton House Hotel was greatly received by critics and guests alike, ultimately earning a Michelin Star in the first year of operation. Under Roger’s careful guidance and management, Charlton House Hotel thrived and was also recognised by Hip Hotels as one of the 25 Best Designer Boutique Hotels in the World.
In 1996, Roger sought a new venue to state as Mulberry’s headquarters. Kilver Court became the headquarters and location of the Mulberry Factory Shop. After opening the venue to the public and proving immensely popular, Roger expanded the horizons of Kilver Court to house other boutique shops and turn it into an outlet shopping venue. Today Kilver Court is a successful shopping emporium, a testament to Roger’s savvy business mindset as it hosts over 50 different designer brands.
Roger also committed his time to something other than fashion… farming. Purchasing Sharpham Park in 2003, Roger embarked into the world of farming and harvesting using the land to establish an organic spelt farm. Today the produce of his land is used in a plethora of products at supermarket giants Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. An advocate for sustainability and eco-friendly practises, Roger, abandoned a lifelong hobby of motor racing and founded the Eco-Car Spectacular for HRH Prince Charles’ Start Campaign.
As a speaker, Roger is sought to deliver his compelling story of how prestigious brand Mulberry went from humble beginnings to one of the world’s best-loved designer brands. Widely regarded as an iconic and authoritative figure in the fashion industry, Roger is the perfect speaker to engage corporate audiences at a range of retail orientated events.
