Net-a-Porter founder and CEO to be honored at the World Retail Congress

Natalie Massenet is set to receive another award to add to her expanding repertoire, as the MBE founder and executive chairman of the Net-a-Porter Group, along with its recently retired CEO, Mark Sebba will be presented with one of the top honors from the World Retail

Congress.

On September 30, during the platform's annual award ceremony in Paris, the duo will be presented with the special 'Outstanding Leadership' award, in recognition for their exceptional skills and vision in creating the Net-a-Porter Group. In the past the award had solely been awarded to a single individual, but the World Retail Congress felt the duo “justified” the joint award.

Massenet and Sebba to be presented with the 'Outstanding Leadership' award

“We are delighted to be able to personally present the award for Outstanding Leadership to Natalie and Mark in Paris,” said Tim Boerkoel, managing partner and global head of consumer and retail at CTPartners, sponsor for the Award. “At a time when retailing is changing so fast, there can be few better examples of retail leaders who have completely reinvented a sector and who continue to innovate and set the pace for others to follow and admire”.

In the brief 14 years since its inception on Massenet's kitchen table in West London, the Net-a-Porter Group, which includes designer e-tailer Net-a-Porter.com, designer online outlet The Outnet.com and designer men's wear site Mr. Porter has grown to become an international business that is visited by over 9 million uses each month, employing over 2,500 people at offices in London, New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai. In 2010, the group was acquired by luxury holding company Richemont Group, with the company valued close to 2 billion pounds today.

Massenet’s role as chairman of the British Fashion Council has also played a key role as part of her personal recognition for the Outstanding Leadership Award. The winners for the award are selected by a grand jury, which is made up of leading retailer chief executive officers from around the world.

“The Outstanding Leadership Award has become an important way for us to recognise those retailers that are driving change, but also providing a lead for others in the way they build brands and create great teams of highly talented people,” added Ian McGarrigle, chairman of the World Retail Congress and Awards. “Net-a-Porter.com's success in such a short space of time is testament to the leadership provided by Natalie and Mark.”

Previous winners of the Outstanding Leadership Award include the late Yves Carcelle, former CEO of Louis Vuitton, Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman, John Lewis Partnership, Roger Farah, president and chief operating officer, Ralph Lauren and Angela Ahrendts, former CEO of Burberry.

Currently in its eighth year, the World Retail Congress and Retail Award were designed to bring together senior retail executives to meet and discuss the most important subjects affecting the industry, whilst celebrating global excellence across key sections of retailing.

Images: Natalie Massenet, MBE Founder and Chairman and Mark Sebba, former CEO at Net-a-Porter Group.