// Habitat managing director quits after 8 years
// In 2006, Askem joined Habitat’s former owner Home Retail Group as head of strategic development
Habitat managing director Clare Askem has resigned from her role at the homeware retailer after eight years.
Sainsbury’s general merchandise and clothing commercial director James Brown has added responsibility for Habitat to his remit after the resignation, Retail Week reported.
In 2006, Askem joined Habitat’s former owner Home Retail Group as head of strategic development, where she began her role as strategic development director.
READ MORE: Habitat opens first new flagship in 10 years
Before this, she was the commercial director at Dixons Carphone-owned PC World.
Askem was part of the team which saw Sainsbury’s acquire Home Retail Group in 2016.
During her lead, Habitat launched a click-and-collect offer and mini Habitat shop-in-shops inside Sainsbury’s supermarkets.
It is not yet known what role Askem will take on following the resignation.
The resignation also follows a recent leadership change for Sainsbury’s Argos, when boss John Rogers stepped down last month to become chief finance officer at WPP.
His remit has been split between retail and operations director Simon Roberts and commercial director Paul Mills-Hicks as part of the grocer’s plans to bring its businesses closer together.
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