Heal’s names former Liberty MD Sarah Coonan as new chief executive
Heal’s has appointed former Liberty managing director Sarah Coonan as its new chief executive.
Due to join the 200-year-old furniture retailer on 1 October, she will succeed Hamish Mansbridge, who is stepping down after 11 years in the role.
Subscribe to TRBShe joined Liberty in 2010 as an assistant buyer and worked in various positions before becoming managing director in 2022, a role she held for four years. Prior to Liberty, she worked in buying roles at Harrods.
Coonan said: “It is an absolute privilege to be joining a brand with the rich history, reputation and cultural significance of Heal’s. For more than two centuries Heal’s has stood for quality, craftsmanship and design that lasts, championing the makers and designers who shape the way we live.
“I look forward to building on those strong foundations while continuing to evolve Heal’s for the next generation of customers.”
Since joining Heal’s in 2015, Mansbridge has led the revamp of its flagship Tottenham Court Road store, developed the retailer’s regional retail presence and expanded its digital offering. The company has also continued to champion established and emerging design talent through initiatives such as Heal’s Discovers.
Mansbridge said: “It has been a huge honour to lead Heal’s for the last 11 years. Heal’s is far more than a retail business; for more than two centuries it has sat at the intersection of culture, heritage and design, shaping the way we think about our homes and the spaces around us.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and look forward to watching the next phase of growth under Sarah’s leadership.”
