After an iconic career that revolutionised the sex positivity movement, Ann Summers CEO Jacqueline Gold sadly lost her battle with cancer on Thursday March 16th.
Best known for being the CEO of Ann Summers, under her leadership the brand championed itself on being a business run by women for the benefit of women, and also sparked a huge conversation around the importance of female pleasure, despite it previously being taboo subject. Exposed to business at an early age, Jacqueline proved herself to have a keen head for numbers and a strong worth ethic, and first cut her teeth in the world of employment after leaving school and working for pottery company Royal Doulton.
The initial Ann Summers work environment was filled with men, and under her father’s name was very much the “upmarket clean” version of the sex industry that had long been established. Following the initial success of her Ann Summers Party Plan which was introduced in the early 1980’s, Jaqueline swiftly rose through the corporate ranks and was finally appointed the CEO of Ann Summers in 1987.