Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) is “expected” to name Eoin Tonge as the fast fashion retailer’s permanent CEO, according to reports.
The news comes one year after Tonge was appointed as Primark’s CEO on an interim basis, Sky News reported on Wednesday (25 February). The move followed the departure of former Primark CEO Paul Marchant, who resigned from the company following an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague.
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Prior to this, Tonge had served as ABF’s finance director since April 2023.
The exec joined ABF from Marks & Spencer, where he worked as its chief financial and strategy officer. He is widely credited with helping steer the organisation through various fundamental challenges throughout his tenure, and was reportedly in the running for the role of CEO, before losing out to Stuart Machin.
Speaking about his departure at the time, Primark told the BBC that Marchant “acknowledged his error of judgement and accepts that his actions fell below the standards expected” by the business.
The company said that incident had been investigated “some time ago” and that “proportionate action” had been taken.
Upon the announcement of Merchant’s departure, chief executive of ABF George Weston said: “I am immensely disappointed. Colleagues and others must be treated with respect and dignity. Our culture has to be, and is, bigger than any one individual.”
He added: “At ABF, we believe that high standards of integrity are essential. Acting responsibly is the only way to build and manage a business over the long term.”
An ABF spokesperson said: “ABF announced in March 2025 the search for a permanent CEO.
“Since that time, the board has undertaken a rigorous search, assessing both internal and external candidates.
“The process is at an advanced stage but we will not comment further until the process is complete.”
In other Primark news, the appointment comes after ABF recently confirmed its reduced outlook and revenue decline for the 16 weeks to 3 January.
The business said Primark sales dropped 2.7 per cent on a like-for-like (LFL) basis, with LFL revenues in its European arm falling 5.7 per cent.
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