“Little by little, we lost the brands, we lost the customers, and we lost the ability to be able to negotiate.”

Dark Days at Harvey Nicks

The London department store used to be the chattering classes’ byword for British style, but now it’s been outdone by its rival Harrods. Can the twentysomething son of the owner rejuvenate it?

By Ashley Baker

Another day, another nepo-baby ascent story. But when we’re talking about the 29-year-old who has just taken the helm at Harvey Nichols, even the most Botoxed eyebrows will be raised.

The Cambridge graduate in question, Pearson Poon, is the son of Sir Dickson Poon, the retailer’s 67-year-old chairman and owner. He has been promoted to vice-chairman and will lead the business until a replacement has been found for outgoing C.E.O. Manju Malhotra, whose focus on post-pandemic cost-cutting wasn’t enough to offset a $38 million loss in 2022.