Meet the Board

Daniel Rubin

Founder and Executive Chairman

Daniel Rubin founded the fashion footwear and accessory brand Dune London in 1992. With over three decades of experience in footwear; from shoe manufacturer to wholesaler and then retailer, he is a notable figurehead of the retail industry. Daniel won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 Drapers Footwear and Accessories Awards. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

Nigel Darwin

CEO

Nigel joined the business as CEO in 2022.  He started his career at strategy consultants, OC&C where he became a partner and led the retail practice. Subsequently, he has held various leadership roles including at Sk:n, the skincare clinics, New Look, the fashion retailer, and at Coach, the US leather goods brand, as president of Coach Europe.

Alice Arnold

Chief Operating Officer

Alice joined the board in 2016 after 6 years with The Dune Group. She is a Cambridge University educated, big-four trained, accountant and is passionate about the financial aspects of company strategy. Alice continued her career in the retail sector; first in electricals at Dixons before entering the glamorous world of fashion footwear and accessories at Dune London.

Zoë Brookes

Retail Sales Director

Zoë worked for various retailers before she joined The Dune Group in 1999. Throughout the decades she's had various field roles and in 2011 became Head of Retail. Only a year later Zoë was appointed to the board as Retail Sales Director for Dune London.

Debra Bloom

Global Ladies Buying Director

Debra possesses a detailed knowledge of the Dune London product, sector and market. She plans and selects the range, type and quantity of ladies shoes and accessories according to customer demand. Debra has previously worked at the Arcadia Group and Select Retail.

Clara Eisenberg

Legal & Sustainability Director

Clara worked as a corporate finance lawyer in the City for 10 years before having a change of career in music with Jazz FM. She joined The Dune Group in 2018 as Head of Legal and was appointed to the board as Legal & Sustainability Director in 2021.

Andy Grainger

Technology and Digital Product Director

Andy joined the business in October 2021 after spending 16 years at GAME Retail in the role of Chief Technology and Digital Officer. He has over 20 years retail IT experience in senior positions at IBM UK, Phones4u, Gamestation and Game Group with operational experience of leading and delivering change across technology, e-commerce, supply chain & logistics and customer success teams.

Nilesh Karia

Global Trading Director

Nilesh has 20 years’ experience in merchandising. He started his career at Top Shop and went on to work for Debenhams, Faith Footwear, River Island and then Dune London. Nilesh played an integral role in the growth of Faith footwear in early 2000's leading to its very successful buyout. He has been with The Dune Group for more than 10 years and was appointed as director in 2012.

James Cox

Non-Executive Director

James joined The Dune Group in 2010 where he was COO, then CEO until he stepped down in 2020 remaining as an non-executive director. He has extensive retail experience within international markets, as well as leading teams within entrepreneurial, high growth settings. James is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He holds an MBA from Imperial College.

John Egan

Non-Executive Director

John joined The Dune Group in 2008 - with the acquisition of the Shoe Studio Group where he was COO for eight years - and was CEO until 2017 when he stepped down to become a Non-Executive Director. John began his career at Bally, where he worked for 15 years, and therefore brought invaluable footwear expertise and leadership qualities to The Dune Group during his time as CEO.

Matt McEvoy

Non-Executive Director

Matt joined the board of The Dune Group as a Non-Executive Director in 2019. He is a senior luxury goods executive and adviser with over 25 years’ experience working with global consumer brands. He was formally Burberry’s Chief of Strategy and Business Development and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. He also sits on the board of directors of Vera Bradley.