In 2010, Walpole joined equivalent lobby groups in Italy (Altagamma), France (Comité Colbert), Germany (Meisterkreis) and Spain (Circulo Fortuny) to form the European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance (ECCIA)[5] and, in 2011, the EU Commission recognised ‘luxury’ as a sector in its own right.
The following year, former UK Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox joined Walpole's delegation as part of a four-day showcase of British brands in New York.
[10] In 2019, the UK luxury sector was found to be worth £48 billion following a report commissioned by Walpole and analysed by international consultancy firm, Frontier Economics.
[13] In 2007, Walpole launched Brands of Tomorrow, a programme designed to mentor and provide support for British companies with a turnover of less than £5m that may lack the resources or expertise to grow.
Among the companies that have been part of the Brands of Tomorrow are watchmaker Bremont, jeweller Astley Clarke, independent retailer Wolf & Badger and fashion label GOAT.