// Signet Jewelers hires Jessops CEO Neil Old as managing director for UK
// Old will report directly to Signet CEO Virginia Drosos
// Old served at Jessops for 7 years
H Samuel and Ernest Jones owner Signet Jewelers has poached Jessops chief executive Neil Old as managing director to lead its UK division.
Old will report directly to the US company’s chief executive, Virginia Drosos, Retail Week reported.
Before joining Signet, Old served at British photography retailer Jessops.
He also held senior management roles at Dixons Carphone and Kingfisher.
Old will be responsible for delivering Signet’s “path to brilliance” transformation plan in the UK.
Meanwhile, Signet recorded a seven per cent fall in international like-for-like sales during its second quarter.
Signet pointed to the UK’s “difficult operating environment” on its sales decline.
Like-for-like sales across the wider group dropped 1.5 per cent during the 13 weeks to August 3, but online sales climbed 4.4 per cent.
Signet’s total revenues dipped 1.5 per cent to $1.36 billion (£1.10 billion).
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