// Matalan lures former Lidl CEO Karl-Heinz Holland and ex-Co-op food chief Jo Whitfield as its new top team
// The former supermarket executives take their posts with immediate effect
Matalan has hired former Lidl and Co-op executives as its new chair and chief executive.
Former Lidl CEO Karl-Heinz Holland, who becomes chair, and new CEO, ex-Co-op food chief Jo Whitfield, take their posts immediately.
Their appointments follow Matalan’s investors, including Invesco, Man GLG, Tresidor and Napier Park, seizing control of the business in January in a rescue deal that cut its growing debt pile.
Holland spent 23 years at Lidl, where he led its expansion across Europe, whilst Whitfield, who worked at Matalan earlier in her career, was at the helm of Co-op Food until last year.
Whitfield, who previously led Asda’s general merchandise business, was touted as the frontrunner for the Matalan CEO role last month.
She replaces Nigel Oddy, the chain’s interim CEO for the past six months.
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Whitfield said so would lead the business through its “next exciting phase of growth and modernisation”.
“Matalan is a much-loved brand for its 11 million loyal customers and together with colleagues we will work to strengthen our offer and ensure we give them the great product and value that they and their families need,” she said
“There are exciting times ahead for all of us that work in the business as we transform Matalan for the future.”
Holland added: “I have been a long-standing admirer of Matalan and believe it’s a business brimming with potential.
“I am very much looking forward to working with the new owners, Jo, and its dedicated workforce, to help it achieve its potential.”
Holland comes with a wealth of retail experience. Aside from Lidl, he has also served as CEO if DIA Group, a network of 5,700 neighbourhood stores across Spain, Argentina, Brazil and Portugal, and has been chair of European fashion chain Takko Fashion since 2018.
He will replace Paul Copley, Matalan’s interim chairman, who will remain on the board as a non-executive director.
Michael Phelps, partner at Tresidor Investment Management, one of the anchor investors in Matalan, said: “Anyone close to the retail world will know the experience and focus that both Karl-Heinz and Jo will bring to their roles.
“They have a proven track-record of making positive impacts in value retail and are the perfect fit for Matalan as it focuses on this next stage of its growth. They will provide strong leadership and know-how which will help accelerate the transformation of the company.”
