Asos has appointed former Amazon executive Lizzie Jones as its new global head of trading as the online fashion retailer strengthens its commercial leadership team.

Jones joins from Amazon Fashion, where she served as general manager and commercial leader for footwear.

The hire marks a return to Asos for Jones, who began her retail career at the business around two decades ago before going on to hold senior commercial and merchandising roles.

She will now oversee global trading at the fashion giant as it looks to improve product relevance, sharpen its commercial strategy and deliver a more consistent experience across its international markets.

Jones’ arrival comes four months after Asos appointed fellow former Amazon executive Natasha Jeffers as managing director of global trading.

Jeffers was handed responsibility for the retailer’s profit and loss performance across the UK, US, EU and the rest of the world, bringing together its regional trading, pricing, promotions and storefront optimisation teams.

The newly strengthened division will play a central role in Asos’ efforts to return to sustainable sales growth after several years of restructuring, stock reduction and cost cutting.

Asos reported adjusted EBITDA of £64m for the six months to 1 March, up 51 per cent year on year, as benefits from its new commercial model and supply chain savings began to feed through.

However, gross merchandise value fell nine per cent during the period, highlighting the challenge facing the retailer as it seeks to rebuild sales while maintaining tighter control of stock and discounting.

The business has maintained its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance of between £150m and £180m.

Jones’ appointment was announced alongside the hiring of model Rina Lipa as Asos’ first style dilemma director, a customer-facing role designed to help shoppers answer occasionwear questions such as what to wear to weddings, festivals and other events.

Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter