Matalan strengthens senior leadership
Matalan has made a series of senior hires as it looks to deepen its expertise in buying and design, trading and merchandising, customer and loyalty and ecommerce.
The move follows changes implemented earlier this year by Matalan chair Karl-Heinz Holland and the executive team when the product, customer and commercial functions were brought together into one team. This is headed up Sarah Welsh who was hired as chief product, brand and commercial officer in March.
The appointments have included Jo Bennett joining the business as director of buying and design following a career spanning Sainsbury’s Tu and and also John Lewis, where she led the womenswear and accessories business.
In addition, Jon Williams has been appointed to the newly created role of director of trading, planning and merchandising following senior positions at John Lewis, Tesco and Primark.
Subscribe to TRBMeanwhile, former Ocado Retail marketing director, Eilidh MacAskill, has joined Matalan as director of marketing after previously working with Asda and Monsoon Accessorize.
In a final appointment, Andreas Nicolaide has been hired as director of digital to drive Matalan’s omnichannel strategy after gaining extensive experience at N Brown, John Lewis and digital media agencies across the UK.
The move also follows the announcement of a significant investment programme in Matalan’s store estate and supply chain, underpinned by the £25 million of additional funding secured from its anchor investors earlier this year.
Karl-Heinz Holland, executive chair of Matalan, said: “We are making strong progress on our transformation plan.
“Combining product, brand and commercial capabilities has enabled us to put customers at the heart of everything we do and deliver on our promise to provide excellent quality, value and style.
“With fresh investment, a modernised store estate, invigorated product and the right talent across the business, we have both the strategy and means to grow our market share, attract new customers and deliver sustainable, profitable growth.
“I am proud of everything we’ve achieved so far on this journey”.
