Justin Stead

Justin is currently the Chairman of Walkers Shortbread, the iconic Scottish

heritage brand with global reach and an exceptional reputation for quality,

tradition, and excellence in premium baked goods, a role he assumed in October

2025. He is also an Investor/Shareholder and Chairman of several leading global

consumer brands, including Le Col, Baby Mori, Navy Grey, Desmond & Dempsey,

and Runway Brands USA. In addition, he sits on the board of Digital MR, a leading

AI marketing research and sentiment listening company.

Justin is also the Co-Author of The Stoic Leader, written in collaboration with

renowned Stoic scholar Dr. John Sellars. The book explores how the timeless

principles of Stoic philosophy can be practically applied by leaders to navigate

modern business challenges, cultivate resilience, and drive purposeful success in

today’s demanding world.

Previously, Justin was the CEO of Radley London (2016–2023) and Aurum

Holdings/Watches of Switzerland Group (2006–2014), which portfolio of brands

includes Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb, and Watches of Switzerland.

Justin is also the Founder of the Aurelius Foundation, a community interest

company with the vision to increase awareness and to share the principles of

Stoic philosophy, based on the four cardinal virtues of Wisdom, Justice,

Temperance, and Courage in the pursuit of happiness. The foundation’s work

involves engagement and teaching seminars across universities, businesses,

senior leadership teams, and throughout the UK prison system.

He started out in life as a tennis player, attending university in the United States

on athletic scholarship. He was ranked Top 10 in the nation at NCAA level and

was ranked at one point in the top 400 tennis players in the world on the ATP

tour.