Jacqueline Gold is Chief Executive of Ann Summers and Knickerbox and is renowned for managing a company run by women, for women. She began her career at 21 when she started working for her father’s company, Ann Summers. As she learnt more about the Ann Summers of the 1970’s she saw the potential to change the focus of the business and create a business and brand which focused on women and would allow women to browse and shop for lingerie and sex toys in a safe, female friendly environment.

After attending an at home Tupperware party, Jacqueline saw the potential to use a similar concept to introduce sex toys and lingerie to women in the home environment. Jacqueline took the concept of at home parties and developed the idea of Ann Summers Party Plan. With no formal training, Jacqueline presented her concept to the all-male board. After initially meeting resistance from the board, Jacqueline demonstrated how the party plan concept was a viable one and was eventually given the go ahead to launch the concept. Jacqueline’s belief in the potential for party plan was proven almost instantly, with hundreds of women keen to become party organisers and even more wanting to attend the party’s. The success of party plan was the first stage in the development of the Ann Summers brand that we know today, changing forever the sex lives of women (and men) in the UK. As the party plan concept continued to grow, Jacqueline climbed through the ranks of the business, developing party plan and thebusiness as whole, making sure that the offering was at all times female friendly and a unique shopping experience.