Galvin Weston

Established in 1875, Charbonnel et Walker is one of Britain’s oldest chocolatiers.

Founded by Mrs Walker and Mme Charbonnel, together they created delicious chocolates presented in beautiful gift boxes with their first store opening on Bond Street, London.

In 1970, Charbonnel et Walker was honoured to receive a Royal Warrant as chocolate manufacturers to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Today and 150 years later, under the Executive leadership of Galvin Weston, Charbonnel et Walker has continued to flourish, with the same care and attention to fine quality chocolates and truffles, all beautifully presented in their distinctive gift boxes.

Galvin acquired Charbonnel et Walker in 1995. The brand has grown exponentially with four stand-alone stores in the UK and concessions in Harrods and Selfridges. Charbonnel et Walker is now available in retailers and department stores across Europe, China, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Middle East and the U.S.A.

Galvin has nurtured small independent gourmet retailers but also supplies cultural institutions and historic brands such as Historic Royal Palaces, English Heritage and Ascot.

For many years, Charbonnel et Walker chocolates were manufactured in Tunbridge Wells. Following the acquisition of the House of Dorchester chocolate factory in 2014, Galvin moved production to Poundbury in Dorset in 2018, where the new factory is now located producing for both brands. The factory blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings of this carefully constructed town, built to the principles of HRH King Charles III.

Our factory uses only sustainable energy and is classified as 100% for green energy. Galvin has a strong commitment to sustainability, always researching better and best business practices that focus on supply chains and the most ecologically sound solutions within the business, whilst still maintaining the high standards customers have come to appreciate. Charbonnel et Walker is Soil Association Organic certified and a partner of the Cocoa Horizons Foundation, a Not-for-Profit organisation supporting 100% Sustainably Sourced Cocoa. The Cocoa Horizons impact-driven program implements meaningful change for local communities in the heart of cocoa regions of West Africa.

We have a strong operational focus on reducing all operational waste with recycling of waste streams wherever possible.

It is Galvin’s extensive retail and manufacturing background within the food and confectionary industries that have always been a passion for him. Involved in the family run businesses in Texas and the US from a young age, the entrepreneurial flair of both his grandfathers, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and Garfield Weston provided great inspiration.

Galvin embraced a down-to-earth upbringing working for his father’s biscuit businesses in Texas. He recognised early on the importance of working at every level to instil the best working practices. Galvin’s father, Grainger Weston was a true mentor for him. It was his guidance and confidence that Galvin sites as a large factor in his success.

Galvin has a personal affinity for Charbonnel et Walker. His British mother Caroline grew up in Beaulieu, the New Forest in the UK. Galvin spent many summers here, surrounded by the beautiful Hampshire countryside. His mother’s favourite chocolates were always from Charbonnel et Walker so when the opportunity arose to acquire the company, it was the start of an exciting and nostalgic new chapter.

2025 marks a landmark anniversary for Charbonnel et Walker with 150-year celebrations. With strong foundations and a vision for a sustainable future, we hope to continue the legacy of Charbonnel et Walker to the best of our ability.

Galvin’s grandfather established the Garfield Weston Foundation in 1958. It is now one of the largest charitable institutions in the UK supporting a wide range of causes across the UK.

Galvin was the most recent Chair of the Reta Lila Howard Foundation Children’s Charity and the Reta Lila Howard Medical Trust, dedicated to neurological medical research. In turn, the Foundation and Trust fund research at the UCL Queen’s Square Institute of Neurology.