Lakeland co-owner Martin Rayner to retire
Martin Rayner, the co-owner of the Lakeland homewares retailer, is to retire from his day-to-day role within the buying team after 42 years with the business that his father founded in 1964.
Although Rayner will step back from full time operational duties following his retirement, he will remain a co-owner of Lakeland, along with his brothers Sam and Julian, and will continue in his role as a director, member of the board, and shareholder.
Rayner said: “I’m incredibly proud of the Lakeland we have created and know that the business remains in the safe hands of every one of our employees. I’m delighted to know that our buying director Matthew Canwell, who has been with us for over 10 years, and his team of world class buyers, are now discovering over 2,000 new and innovative ideas every year, and have no doubt that they will continue successfully without my involvement.”
Canwell added: “Lakeland will always be indebted to Martin. His tireless enthusiasm for innovation and product development has been a huge inspiration to myself and the whole of my team. We’re very much looking forward to continuing to build upon the success that Martin has established over his 42 years with Lakeland.”
With Lakeland due to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in June, Rayner will retire in May after a final round of meetings with suppliers at various trade shows around the world.
Lakeland now operates 67 stores across the UK and is due to open its 68th store in Inverness in the Spring. The retailer also has nine stores trading in the Middle East and in summer 2013 launched into Germany with a dedicated German website.
