News An Inspiring Insight into Leadership and Luxury with Burberry’s CFO, Kate Ferry 10.02.2026

We were delighted to welcome an exceptional external speaker to our Fashion and Business Society this week, and to offer our students a truly inspiring insight into leadership, creativity, and careers in the global luxury industry.

Kate Ferry, the current Chief Financial Officer of Burberry, spoke candidly and engagingly about her journey from school through university and into senior leadership, charting a career path defined not by rigid planning, but by curiosity, flexibility, and a genuine enjoyment of learning. Her talk powerfully illustrated that there is no single ‘correct’ route to success, and that studying what you enjoy can open doors to opportunities you might not have initially anticipated.

Throughout the session, Kate captivated students with reflections on what it is really like to work at a world-renowned luxury brand such as Burberry. One particularly thought-provoking discussion centred on the challenge of balancing creativity with commercial responsibility. This real-world perspective resonated strongly with students interested in both the creative and analytical sides of business.

Kate encouraged students to avoid a fixed mindset, emphasising instead the importance of being flexible, authentic, and open to change. Her key advice was simple yet powerful: pursue what genuinely interests you, remain adaptable as opportunities arise, and stay true to yourself. She answered students’ questions with honesty and generosity, creating an atmosphere of curiosity, confidence, and aspiration.

We are extremely grateful to Kate for sharing her time, experience, and wisdom, and for providing our students with such a meaningful and motivating experience.