Aurum to change name to Watches of Switzerland as it appoints new chairman
Aurum Holdings, the company behind Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb, Goldsmiths, Watch Hut and Watch Lab, has appointed Dennis Millard as its new chairman.
The company has also confirmed that the group will be changing its name to Watches of Switzerland.
Having spent the last 13 years as a non-executive director in both publicly listed and private equity-backed companies, Millard is currently a non-executive director of Superdry and deputy chairman of Pets at Home.
In the past he has also served as chairman at Halfords and Connect Group (formerly Smiths New) and was a non-executive director and senior independent director at Debenhams, Premier Farnell and Xchanging.
He was previously chief financial officer of a range of businesses including Cookson Group and London and New York listed international pharmaceutical group, Medeva.
Millard will take up his position at Aurum on 1 October.
Referring to the group’s name change, Aurum said it is working with its owners and advisers on strategic options for the business, including a possible IPO.
Brian Duffy, Aurum chief executive, said: “I am delighted that Dennis has agreed to join our board as non-executive chairman. Dennis’ extensive experience in working with public and private companies during his career will be invaluable as we continue to grow this business. I am also pleased to be changing our company name to Watches of Switzerland Group. Our new name will be a testament to the core strength of our business.”
