Member Article

Floward appoints first independent board member

Floward has appointed independent board member Nicholas Farhi to bring further knowledge and expertise by offering strategic consultations, with the goal to further grow the business and to help it meet international governance standards. Adding to a board of experts with international experience, following a continued period of growth, Floward hopes to achieve its vision of leading in the flower and gifts industry worldwide.

Floward has grown its revenue by more than 30 times since 2020, and has raised USD34.2 million to date, the latest of which was its Series B funding round of USD27.5 million - led by STV with participation from Impact46 in June 2021. With over 20 years of experience, Nicholas, who graduated from Oxford University, is currently a partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants, advising CEOs and shareholders on strategy. He also chairs UnLtd, a charity which has backed over 10,000 startup social entrepreneurs; sits on the board of two other scale-ups, and is an experienced angel investor.

Nicholas Farhi, who is based in London, joins Abdulaziz B. Al Loughani, Mohammed N. Jaafar, Bader. N. Al Kharafi, Ahmed A. Al Naimi, Basmah A. Al Sinaidi, and Barrak M. Al Usaimi bringing the total number of Floward’s board up to seven members.

Floward Chairman & CEO, Mr. Abdulaziz B. Al Loughani, said: “This appointment aligns with our vision of becoming a major global player in the flowers and gifts industry and having the right governance framework. We are delighted to have Nicholas Farhi join our board and bring his international expertise to help advise and guide us into achieving our vision.”

Commenting on his appointment, Nicholas Farhi said: “I am excited to join Floward’s team as they continue to innovate and expand. Floward has earned a leading market position in the flowers vertical, making it the largest flowers business in the whole MENA region; and I look forward to helping them achieve the same level of success and their vision on a global scale.”

Floward launched in the United Kingdom January 2021 offering the fastest same day delivery service in London. Shortly after, it launched a next day delivery service nationwide. With a wide range of beautiful arrangements and additional luxury gifts, Floward is a one-stop shop for everyone’s gifting needs. Established in 2017, Floward is a full-fledged e-commerce solution that offers prime fresh-cut flowers sourced from the best growers and farmers around the world and arranged locally by a team of florists and designers. Floward also offers cakes, chocolate and perfumes curated by the region’s most exciting designers bundled with its flower arrangements and manages last-mile same-day delivery to ensure the best customer experience.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sandra Griffiths .