Winners

Lifetime Achievement Award


Kate Anthony Wilkinson

Having been at the helm of corporate legal business for more than 30 years, latterly as general counsel and company secretary of Mulberry, Kate Anthony Wilkinson is a distinguished figure in the luxury goods sector. Throughout her career she has combined her legal acumen with a genuine commitment to mentorship and knowledge sharing, leaving a lasting impact on both the luxury sector and the legal profession. At Mulberry she oversaw the company’s legal affairs and corporate governance during a period of significant growth and brand evolution. Her role extended well beyond traditional in-house duties – she was instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction and protecting the integrity of the brand on a global scale. One of her most significant contributions has been her work on anti-counterfeiting which she tackled head-on, working with law enforcement and industry bodies to disrupt counterfeit networks and vocally advocating for industry wide collaboration. She was also dedicated to mentoring the next generation of legal professionals and always willing to share her experiences and knowhow. Outside of work, her contribution to the creative industries continued as a trustee with Bristol’s Old Vic and the Aero Collection Trust.

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The IMPACT Award

Paul White, A&L Goodbody

The Impact Award highlights those who have contributed above and beyond to helping others and made an impact through their altruistic endeavours. This year’s winner, Paul White, has not only risen to the top of his profession as chair of A&L Goodbody, he has served as volunteer, legal adviser to and trustee of Depaul Ireland – one of Ireland’s leading homeless charities and part of the international UK Depaul Group. In addition, he has advised boards of many charities, social enterprises and non-profit organisations including GOAL and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, among many others. He has also been an active sponsor in the establishment of A&L Goodbody’s pro bono legal practice over the last 20 years, which recently reported working on more than 325 pro bono cases, with 375 legal professionals providing more than 14,000 hours of free legal advice. His lifetime dedication to humanitarian causes makes him a worthy winner of the Impact Award.

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Global Leadership in Intellectual Property Award

Matthew Bassiur, Head of Global IP Enforcement, Alibaba

This award is conferred in recognition of Matthew Bassiur’s exemplary leadership and distinguished contributions to anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy initiatives, as well as to his steadfast commitment to the protection of intellectual property rights throughout his service in both government and industry, including his ongoing role as Alibaba’s head of global IP enforcement. A worthy winner for this award, Matthew has been at the forefront of strategic anti-counterfeiting initiatives to protect brands and consumers globally.

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Brands

General Counsel of the Year


Jennifer Guilfoyle, Maybourne

Jennifer Guilfoyle is chief legal officer and company secretary at Maybourne Hotels, owner of ultra luxury hotels Claridge’s, The Connaught, The Berkeley and The Emory in London as well as The Maybourne Beverly Hills and The Maybourne Riviera. Jennifer sits on the executive committee and reports directly to the Co-CEO’s, Marc Socker and Gianluca Muzzi. The judges noted the unique combination of legal skills she brings to her role, including IP, brand protection and reputation management on the one hand and high-profile marketing and sales campaigns on the other. She is regarded as an authority on collaborations, given Maybourne Hotels’ reputation for securing partnerships with leading luxury brands, including for the much-anticipated annual Claridge’s annual Christmas tree, which last year was designed by Daniel Lee, chief creative officer of Burberry. Her commitment to ESG was also recognized by the judges: she is responsible for the Maybourne ESG strategy and its implementation across the hotel portfolio. Last year Maybourne signed a deal to power all its London hotels with 100% renewable energy.

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In-house IP Team of the Year

Manolo Blahnik

The Manolo Blahnik legal team has transformed the brand’s IP into commercial and creative value at a time of ambitious global growth for the company. This included high-profile collaborations including with Emilia Wickstead and Balenciaga, navigating complex design, manufacturing and trademark issues. The company also secured and structured the V&A Museum partnership for the ‘Marie Antoinette Style’ exhibition. Acting as strategic risk guardians, the team has advised on sensitive industry-wide matters, ensuring every new market met the highest governance standards. The result is that the team protected the brand while enabling ambitious global growth. Furthermore, having won a 22-year trademark rights dispute in China four years ago, Manolo Blahnik was finally able to achieve full market entry into China.

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Legal Team of the Year


Ferrari

This winning team has demonstrated exceptional value to the brand, acting as a business facilitator and guardian of the brand. From launching an exclusive club for selected VIP Ferrari clients and devising an innovative contractual and governance framework, to dealing with crypto assets and the launch of a compliant framework for the issuance of the Ferrari 499P digital token, the team has been at the forefront of innovation whilst preserving the Ferrari brand and reputation. It secured a landmark judgment before the EU General Court confirming Ferrari’s ownership of the iconic TESTAROSSA luxury trademark and annulling prior EUIPO decisions. This safeguarded longstanding revenues linked to heritage cars, certified pre-owned programmes, spare parts and licensing activities. The Ferrari legal team has not only displayed technical excellence, proactive leadership and deep business understanding, it has translated legal solutions into measurable commercial and strategic luxury outcomes delivering long-term value creation.

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Beauty & Wellness Counsel of the Year

Marianne Helps, Legal Director, Laura Mercier and bareMinerals (Orveon Global)

Marianne Helps, the winner of the Beauty & Wellness Counsel of the Year Award 2026, has demonstrated innovation and leadership skills in complex negotiations for Orveon Global, scoring significant wins for her brand. At her previous employer Charlotte Tilbury, she  oversaw negotiations on a high-profile beauty partnership with global icon Céline Dion where she led talent negotiation behind a fully integrated multimedia rollout for the 2026 Holiday campaign. This three-way talent agreement involved the Charlotte Tilbury brand, its founder Charlotte Tilbury and Celine Dion’s representatives. The complexities included careful alignment of competing commercial interests, brand considerations and personal relationships, as well as complicated music licensing arrangements, all within a short timeline.

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Business Leader of the Year


Martin Wilson, CEO, Phillips

Martin Wilson has spent nearly three decades at the intersection of art and law, shaping both fields through leadership and expertise. Currently CEO at Phillips, Wilson has made the transition from chief legal officer – where he was responsible for Phillips’ global legal and compliance function – to the CEO role, one of few general counsel to do so. Beyond his corporate role, he founded the Art Lawyers Association three years ago – an organisation that has become a hub for art law practitioners and where he currently serves as co-chair. His influence extends further in the art world through chairing the British Art Market Federation. He has also contributed to thought leadership in art law through a leading textbook on art law. Few general counsel reach the pinnacle of both legal practice and industry leadership the way he has. For his contribution to the art sector as a whole, Martin Wilson is a fitting choice for this year’s Luxury Business Leader.

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Fashion Counsel of the Year


Victoria Simon, Senior Legal Counsel, Vivienne Westwood

This year’s winner has undoubtedly fulfilled the criteria – delivering value for their brand, fulfilling the dual role of business facilitator and guardian of the company’s brand. Victoria’s successful handling of an issue for Vivienne Westwood, which could have endangered the brand, saw her adopt a strategic business focus versus a strict legal approach to tackle the problem. With a longstanding IP and distribution licence due to expire at the end of the year, she resolved many of the issues through early engagement and disciplined stakeholder co-ordination. By explaining complex IP and licensing analysis into clear guidance for senior stakeholders, this enabled informed and timely decision-making. As a result, Victoria was able to deliver a robust outcome that safeguarded the brand, enhanced ESG compliance and avoided reputational damage, loss of pricing discipline or unsustainable inventory practices.

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Entrepreneur of the Year


Katie Mullally

Katie Mullally has taken an authentic story and turned it into a successful jewellery business. Following her grandmother who ran an antique silverware shop and incorporating her family’s part in writing Jacksons, the hallmark bible, Katie trained as a silversmith. A Dragons Den winner, (she was chosen by Deborah Meaden), her jewellery represents her family history and heritage. She has also collaborated with celebrities including Vogue Williams, while her charms were recently worn by One Direction star Niall Horan. Katie’s work has sustainability and authenticity at its heart, key attributes for this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

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Global General Counsel of the Year


David Berry, JLR

The winner of this award, David Berry, is a global leader with more than 20 years’ experience running top retail legal departments. At JLR he serves as chief legal officer, reporting directly to the CEO. With expertise in international markets from the US to China and India, he is an active contributor to JLR’s Reimagine strategy and transformation and a firm believer that empowered and agile in-house legal teams can play an important role as effective business partners and key contributors. Faced with a cyber-attack last year, David oversaw the legal strategy which contributed to the company’s recovery. His leadership in diversity sees him act as executive co-sponsor for diversity, equity and inclusion at JLR. As a driver of the business, he is a worthy recipient of the Global GC award of the year.

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Private Practice

Luxury Law Firm of the Year – International Law Firm

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie took home the Luxury Law Firm of the Year - International award for its work acting as a strategic legal partner to leading luxury, fashion and beauty groups on high-profile transactions, high-stakes disputes and regulatory change. The firm’s luxury law advisers sit within the broader consumer goods and retail group, bringing cross-functional expertise across regulatory, M&A, litigation, tax, IP, real estate and employment matters, as well as providing advice around digital transformation and sustainability and broader ESG considerations (as evidenced through its Policy Guide, Green Claims Guide and client advisory work).


Highly Commended

Bird & Bird

Luxury Law Firm of the Year – Independent Law Firm

Bonelli Erede Lombardi Pappalardo

BonelliErede won the Luxury Law Firm of the Year - Independent award in recognition of its dedicated luxury practice, which advises some of the world’s leading luxury groups and iconic Italian fashion houses. The relatively small team (10 partners and associates) pack a big punch, guiding luxury brands on transactional matters and regulatory issues, while also providing expertise on antitrust, distribution, IP, employment, tax, litigation and ESG. The practice also hosts a regular forum – Luxury Think Tank – which brings together general counsel and industry leaders to discuss legal and regulatory trends impacting the luxury sector.


Highly Commended

Stevens & Bolton

Partner of the Year

Lewis Cohen, Mishcon De Reya

Mishcon de Reya’s Lewis Cohen won the Partner of the Year award for his standout contribution to the luxury industry. As co-head of Mishcon’s retail and luxury sector group, he helps luxury brands expand their reach and commercialise their IP. As a non-executive director of British luxury trade body Walpole and chair of its legal affairs committee, Lewis’s commitment to the luxury sector goes well beyond his day job. Notably he has spent nearly 15 years mentoring the next generation of British luxury brands through Walpole’s Brands of Tomorrow programme. He also advises the Sustainable Markets Initiative on commercial arrangements.


Highly Commended

Francesco Anglani, Bonelli Erede Lombardi Pappalardo LLP

IP Team of the Year

Debevoise & Plimpton

Debevoise & Plimpton’s IP group was recognised for its work handling cutting-edge and ‘bet the company’ cases for some of the world’s biggest luxury brands, including Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Kate Spade, Charlotte Tilbury and Tory Burch. Led by partners David Bernstein and Megan Bannigan, Debevoise’s IP practice worked on a landmark dispute that tested the limits of personal name rights after a commercial transfer – a growing issue for luxury brands that buy assets built around a founder’s identity. After originally engaging a different firm and losing the case, the client switched to Debevoise, which focused on brand confusion among consumers and subsequently won the case.


Highly Commended

BARLAW – Barrera & Asociados