Gill Smith

Managing Director, The Perfume Shop

Gill has spent over 20 years working in the FMCG sector after qualifying as a chartered accountant.  Her early career was in various senior finance roles in the wines and spirits industry before moving into retail in 2006 when she joined The Perfume Shop. 

 Gill spent 8 years as CFO across the A.S Watson Group delivering ambitious turnaround plans for Superdrug and Savers before being appointed Managing Director of The Perfume Shop in 2014. Gill is passionate about bringing back excitement into buying and owning perfume and is adapting The Perfume Shop retail experience to deliver this for customers. 

Gill is a Retail Week Be Inspired Ambassador and a former member of the board of Cosmetic Executive Women.

Any spare time is split between London and Kent with her husband Mark improving her golf, baking. wine tasting and trying to like running for charity.

Why are you involved with The Fragrance Foundation UK?

I am involved in TFF UK because its what we do as a business - we’ve lived and breathed nothing else since the moment we started.

I want to share my enthusiasm and passion for perfume as there is so much more to fragrance you can learn from science to emotion – how they have been around forever, how they are made, why they move us, why they trigger memories and why they smell different on everyone.  I represent all customers and want them all to love and explore perfume just like we do, no matter what their age, preference or budget.

Why do you love fragrance?

I love the link of scent and memories and how its universal yet also personal. A smell can transport you to a time, a place, a person, an outfit and experience.  Your perfume says who you are, without having to speak and it can give you confidence in any situation.

What is your Scent Memory?

Estée Lauder Knowing was my first “real” perfume I ever bought. I went on my first package holiday with my boyfriend (now husband) and the rep was wearing this perfume and I loved it. Every time I smell it now, I’m transported back to a Greek ferry in the blazing sunshine, listening to our rep briefing us about the island and it brings back memories of Greek beaches and retsina.