// Wilko taps former Bensons for Beds boss Mark Jackson as its new chief executive
// The retailer said the appointment comes as it tries to “restore confidence and safeguard the future of the business
Wilko has appointed ex-Bensons for Beds boss Mark Jackson as its new chief executive as talks continue over a refinancing to secure the high street retailer’s future.
The family-owned business said Jackson will be joining as chief executive designate after he stepped down as chief executive at Benson’s for Beds earlier this year.
Wilko said its current chief executive Jerome Saint-Marc will step down with immediate effect after running the business since February 2020, having previously been group transformation director.
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Last year, Wilko landed itself in hot water over its self-isolation policies during the peak of the pandemic and was forced to apologise for telling staff they could come into work if they tested positive.
Speaking on the controversy, the family representative on the board of Wilko’s holding company, Lisa Wilkinson, said the company’s founders “would expect us to make the right, and sometimes difficult, changes to restore confidence and safeguard the future of the business”.
“That includes making sure we have the right leadership in place with the right experience and relevant turnround expertise.”
Jackson’s appointment comes as Wilko looks to safeguard its future by putting in place new credit facilities rather than relying on supplier financing and short-term overdrafts.
The retailer swung to a £36.8m loss at the beginning of the year after lockdowns, supply chain disruption and a dip in consumer demand impacted trading.
Earlier this year the business warned that there is a risk of it running out of cash by the end of 2023 if trading conditions deteriorate further as it proceeds with emergency talks with lenders to secure a £30 million lifeline,
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