Fashion and homeware chain Matalan has unveiled a series of senior hires, as it seeks to deepen its expertise across buying and design, trading and merchandising, customer and loyalty, and e-commerce.
Jo Bennett is joining as the fashion brand’s director of buying and design, to lead Matalan’s product and design strategy.
The exec brings experience from Tu clothing and John Lewis, where she led the womenswear and accessories business.
Jon Williams has also stepped into the newly created role of director of trading, planning and merchandising.
Williams brings more than 20 years’ multichannel retail experience from brands including John Lewis, Tesco and Primark.
Eilidh MacAskill has joined the business as its director of marketing, bringing senior experience across retail and fashion journalism, including roles at Ocado, Asda and Monsoon Accessorize.
Additionally, Andreas Nicolaides has been appointed as the company’s director of digital, bringing experience from N Brown, John Lewis and digital media agencies across the UK.
The appointments are set to support Matalan’s delivery of everyday style, quality and value for customers, according to the retailer.
The move comes after the announcement of an investment programme in the chain’s store estate and supply chain, underpinned by the £25m of additional funding secured from its anchor investors earlier this year.
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The appointments also follow changes implemented by Matalan executive chair Karl-Heinz Holland and the executive team earlier this year, where product, customer and commercial were brought together into one team.
The team is led by Sarah Welsh, who was appointed as chief product, brand and commercial officer in March.
Karl-Heinz Holland said: “We are making strong progress on our transformation plan. Combining product, brand and commercial capabilities has enabled us to put customers at the heart of everything we do and deliver on our promise to provide excellent quality, value and style.
“With fresh investment, a modernised store estate, invigorated product and the right talent across the business, we have both the strategy and means to grow our market share, attract new customers and deliver sustainable, profitable growth.”
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