Celebrating Sisterhood and Legacy: Jacqui and Bryony Walker

This International Women’s Day, we are featuring sisters Jacqui and Bryony Walker, fourth-generation family members at Walker’s. Inspired by their pioneering aunt, Marjorie Walker OBE, they continue her legacy of leadership and excellence while shaping the future of the business.

A Legacy of Leadership

Marjorie Walker OBE was a driving force in shaping Walker’s into the brand it is today. As a key leader, she set high standards for quality, leaving a lasting mark on the company. Jacqui and Bryony proudly carry that legacy forward - Jacqui as Non-Executive Director and Bryony as Head of Commercial Strategy - bringing fresh perspectives while staying true to the company’s heritage.

Growing Up in the Family Business

From an early age, Jacqui and Bryony were immersed in the world of Walker’s, developing a deep connection to the business. Jacqui recalls fond childhood memories of spending time at the bakery on Aberlour high street:

“My Dad used to take us to the bakery on the weekends when he was working, and we’d be the only ones there. We’d help count loaves and rolls for orders before sneaking into a cupboard full of plastic cake toppers, pocketing our favourites. The bakery smell is still my most nostalgic scent memory.” – Jacqui Walker

These early experiences shaped their understanding of the hard work, craftsmanship, and dedication that goes into every Walker’s product.

Balancing Tradition with Innovation

As members of the next generation, Jacqui and Bryony face the challenge of maintaining the brand’s heritage while ensuring it evolves to stay relevant. Bryony reflects on this responsibility:

“In a family business there’s always a balance between honoring tradition and adapting to stay relevant. Each new generation questions the status quo, forcing us to decide what we preserve and what we move forward on.” – Bryony Walker

The family’s engagement ensures that Walker’s remains a brand known for its traditional recipe while embracing new ideas to meet the needs of modern consumers.

Championing Women in Business

Jacqui and Bryony are passionate about driving equality within Walker’s and the wider business community. They aim to ensure that women continue to thrive at every level of their family business, and enjoy working with numerous bright, creative, and hardworking women in their teams.

“Women as leaders was never a strange concept to us. Aunty Marj set an example of women in business, and likewise, our Mum and Grandmother were strong, capable women leading their families. Our business is built on female talent across the company from our bakeries to our offices. Perhaps less visible, we also never underestimate everything the Mums, Grans, and other female family members of all our people have done to enable our growth from the beginning.” – Bryony Walker

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the contributions of the incredible women who have shaped Walker’s throughout its history. Their dedication has been instrumental in the company’s success, and the next generation will continue to build on that foundation.

Happy International Women’s Day!