// The number of women appointed to chief executive roles within the British retail industry hit a record high last year – making up 31% of the 42 appointments made
// Back in 2021, just four female bosses were appointed, making up 22% of 18 hires
The number of women appointed to chief executive roles within the UK retail industry hit a record high last year, new research has shown.
Thirteen female chief executives were hired in 2022, making up 31% of the 42 appointments made, according to management consultancy Korn Ferry.
This was compared with just four female bosses in 2021, which made up 22% of the eighteen hires.
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The food sector led the way with Shirine Khoury-Haq hired as group chief executive at The Co-operative Group.
Hannah Gibson took charge at Ocado Retail last September, Roisin Currie was appointed at Greggs at the start of January, while Alison Hands is now chief at Lincolnshire Co-op, Karen Bird is interim chief executive at McColl’s (within Wm Morrison Supermarkets) and Jan Marchant at Tesco was promoted into a larger divisional chief executive role, responsible for home and clothing.
In fashion, beauty and jewellery, Sarah Miles was appointed as chief executive at Hush while Helen Connolly took on the top role at New Look.
Sarah Boyd became managing director at Sephora UK; Maddie Smith is now managing director at The Body Shop UK and Ireland; and Alison Loehnis was made interim chief executive at Yoox Net-A-Porter.
Chief executive hires in other speciality sectors included Lyssa McGowan at Pets at Home and Leanne Rothwell at gifting retailer Notonthehighstreet.
Korn Ferry managing director of consumer board and CEO services Sarah Lim said the rise in the number of female bosses was “a hugely positive step forward”.
She said that boards are now more aware that they need to recruit CEOs who are more reflective of the customer base they serve as it leads to better profitability and better shareholder return.
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