Retail Gazette and executive search firm Oresa round up the biggest people moves of the month in April
- Ted Baker CEO Rachel Osborne is to depart, six months after the retailer was snapped up by Authentic Brands Group. Her departure comes as Authentic looks to convert the business into a brand licensing model.
- PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani is stepping down as CEO after 10 years. Oresa CEO Orlando Martins says: “The departure of a founder can be a wrench for any business, but since Umar has taken the company from its start-up phase to dizzying heights, his departure is on a high note. The next stage of the company’s journey may require a different set of skills.”
- JD Sports has promoted group buying director Michael Armstrong to the newly created role of global managing director. Armstrong, who was previously group buying director, will oversee the strategic direction of the JD brand, its operations and colleagues.
- JD Sports has also bolstered its board by hiring ex-N Brown CEO Angela Luger and former Carpetright CEO Darren Shapland
- The Body Shop chief executive David Boynton is to step down from his role at the end of this month after five and a half years
- Former Co-op marketing chief Ali Jones has re-emerged at Matalan, as chief customer and omnichannel officer. She joins ex-Co-op boss Jo Whitfield who last month took the CEO role at the firm. Martins says: “Ali has a long and impressive track record in fashion and retail, and will undoubtedly put all the lessons she’s learned to good use.”
- Clarks UK, Ireland and MEA managing director Joe Ulloa has stepped down after two years. Ulloa has been at the footwear retailer since 2017
- Asos has bolstered its board with hires from Google (Natasja Laheij) and Bimba y Lola (Jose Manuel Martinéz Gutiérrez)
- Ocado has named Pepco CFO Mat Ankers as new chief financial officer
- Holland & Barrett has hired former Starbucks exec Nick Allen as CFO
