Profiles
Profile: Stefano Pessina, executive chairman, Alliance Boots
As Alliance Boots defies the difficult economic climate, its executive chairman shrugs off criticism of its tax affairs.
Profile: Zev Weiss, chief executive, American Greetings
The collapse of Clinton Cards has put the boss of Ohio-based supplier American Greetings at the centre of the controversy.
Profile: Jonathon Brown, chief executive, M and M Direct
John Lewis’s online boss is making a big step to head M and M Direct, but given his multichannel successes he should be a good fit at the etailer.
Profile: Takao Kuwahara, UK chief executive, Uniqlo
The new Uniqlo UK chief executive faces the crucial task of getting the fashion retailer’s UK growth off the ground and beyond London.
Profile: Harold Tillman, Jaeger chairman
The Jaeger chairman may have sold most of his stake in the business and seen Aquascutum collapse, but he is no stranger to bouncing back.
My retail life: Sanjay Vadera, Chief executive, The Fragrance Shop
Sanjay Vadera, Chief executive of The Fragrance Shop, tells Retail Week about his life working in retail.
Profile: Aziz Tayub, Poundstretcher owner, chairman and chief executive
He may shun the spotlight, but the Poundstretcher boss has drawn the industry’s attention with plans to expand into the Middle East.
Profile: Martyn Gibbs, Game chief executive
Parachuted back into Game under new owner OpCapita, the keen gamer will lead a quest for its turnaround.
Selfridge: a pioneer of retail theatre
The rags-to-riches-to-rags story of Harry Gordon Selfridge will make great viewing when it appears as a TV series in 2013.
Profile: Catriona Marshall, HobbyCraft chief executive
On a relentless quest to make HobbyCraft bigger and better, the award-winning chief executive is intent on keeping the offer fresh.
Interview: Lord Harris, Outstanding Contribution to Retail
Carpets king Lord Harris, winner of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Retail award, tells Nicola Harrison about his amazing career.
Profile: Nick Wood, Pets at Home chief executive
Big things are expected from the new Pets at Home chief executive, who brings private equity and international experience to the job. Gemma Goldfingle reports.
Profile: Paul Sweetenham
The former TK Maxx boss is to lead fashion retailer Republic’s drive for growth. Gemma Goldfingle reports.
Profile: Kevin O’Byrne
Kingfisher’s group finance director has made the leap to B&Q divisional chief executive and his experience should add drive to the DIY retailer. Nicola Harrison reports.
Profile: Simon Calver
The Lovefilm boss was an unexpected choice to lead Mothercare’s revival, but his wide-ranging experience should help bring success.
Profile: John Walden
Despite being unknown in the UK, John Walden has a retail pedigree that spans online and electricals. Gemma Goldfingle reports on the man tasked to revive Argos.
Jason Gissing
He may be a former City boy but he shuns a pinstripe image. Alex Lawson reports on the Ocado co-founder and his new role.
Profile: Richard Kirk, former Peacocks group chief executive
The former Peacocks group chief executive fought to the bitter end to save the retailer and the people working for it.
Guy Lister
New Look’s newly promoted customer and multichannel managing director will help the fashion retailer provide a seamless ecommerce experience.
Michael MacMillan
The new head of European operations at TJX and stalwart of the business is ideally placed to execute its store expansion plans. Tiffany Holland reports.
Lucy Neville-Rolfe
The departure early next year of one of former Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy’s key lieutenants will be the end of an era. Alex Lawson reports.
Martyn Phillips
As B&Q launches its biggest ever winter Sale, Nicola Harrison asks its recently appointed chief executive what the future holds in store
Geoff Quinn
TM Lewin has just broken the £100m sales barrier. Its chief executive wants to add the same again through international expansion, he tells Alex Lawson.
Simon King
His time at Asda may have been short-lived, but King is held in high regard as his appointment as managing director of Wickes shows. Nicola Harrison reports
Colin Graves
He may have sold Costcutter, but that doesn’t mean its founder is taking it easy and stepping back from the business. Alex Lawson reports.
Alan Parker
A UK turnaround challenge and hiring a new boss may seem daunting tasks, but the industry thinks the new Mothercare chairman is just the man for the job, says Gemma Goldfingle
Ray Evans
JJB Sports’ director of football has a big task ahead of him as he helps pull the retailer out of the relegation zone. Gemma Goldfingle reports.
Edwin Booth
The fifth generation of his family to run the eponymous business, the Booths chairman is looking to future expansion. Gemma Goldfingle reports.
Profile: Darcy Willson-Rymer
The former Starbucks man is no stranger to turnarounds, but does he have what it takes to give the flagging Clinton Cards a shot in the arm, Tiffany Holland reports.
Simon Smith
Travel has become a vital part of WHSmith’s growth, as recognised by the chief operating officer’s promotion to managing director. Tiffany Holland profiles him.
Roger McLaughlan
Previously a key man at Asda, can the new UK managing director of Toys R Us use his retailing nous to keep the increasing threat of supermarkets and online at bay, asks Tiffany Holland.
Magnus Olsson
Modest by nature, the head of H&M in the UK and Ireland is also justly proud of his store’s recent results. Tim Danaher discovers his plans for more openings and different formats
Bill Carrahar
The new director of Carpetright’s beds business, Sleepright, is passionate about the sector that has given him a second career, and is looking forward to working with an ‘icon in the industry’
Brian Brick
If anyone could smarten up Moss Bros, it’s Brian Brick. Ahead of next week’s update George MacDonald reports on how he is tailoring the retailer for success
Simon Thompson
Morrisons has secured a coup in recruiting a former senior figure at Apple to spearhead its online food plans. Jennifer Creevy reports
Michael Sharp
After almost 15 years at Debenhams the new chief executive is well placed to pick up where Rob Templeman left off. George MacDonald reports
Sue Townsend
Passionate about retail, the former Blackwell commercial director has taken on the challenge of resurrecting the three times failed fashion retailer Ethel Austin. Nicola Harrison reports.
Peter Williams
At home with both the glamour of Selfridges and the gloom of turnarounds, Peter Williams’ latest challenge is working with Blacks. George MacDonald finds out what drives him
Mark Horgan
Sainsbury’s new marketing director will play a key role as the grocer begins to prepare for the post-Jamie Oliver era. George MacDonald reports
Timothy Melgund
Having weathered the collapse of Borders UK, the media-shy Paperchase boss has led from the front and driven the stationery retailer through tricky times. By Nicola Harrison
Larry Meyer
In suitably tough, no-nonsense New York style, the Forever 21 boss has signalled the US fast fashion retailer’s intent to take the UK by storm. Gemma Goldfingle reports
Trevor Moore
Having learned the retail ropes at Phones 4U, the Jessops chief executive is now thriving in a targets-focused environment, says Nicola Harrison
Steve Johnson
Never afraid of a challenge, the new Dreams chairman is well equipped to take on the difficult big-ticket sector. Nicola Harrison reports
Sir Tom Hunter
On the eve of forging a retail partnership with Mike Ashley, Sir Tom Hunter intends to make use of Sports Direct’s deep pockets. George MacDonald reports
Paul McGowan
The Hilco boss has an uneviable reputation as the ‘undertaker’ of the high street, but the bad press is only one side of the story. Nicola Harrison reports
Colin Temple
The managing director of Schuh believes selling the business to Genesco makes good commercial sense, and is aiming for rapid expansion. By Gemma Goldfingle
Darren Blackhurst
The new Matalan boss is no stranger to the value proposition, but now he needs to use his trading skills to take on his former employees - the grocers. By Jennifer Creevy
Rob Templeman
The Debenhams boss may be stepping down in September, but he isn’t done with retail just yet. Amy Shields talks to the retail heavyweight about his new role with the BRC
Nick Hollingworth
The Austin Reed boss may have sold its landmark Regent Street store to new kid on the block SuperGroup, but it marks a new chapter for the menswear specialist. By George MacDonald.
Bob Darke
Despite job cuts and a steep fall in sales, new managing director Bob Darke insists Comet can survive in a tough sector. George MacDonald reports.
Humphrey Cobbold
This may be his first big retail role, but the Wiggle boss’s passion for entrepreneurialism and cycling are keeping the etailer’s wheels turning at an impressive rate, says Nicola Harrison
Julia Reynolds
The Figleaves boss is swapping cup sizes for crampons as she takes on the difficult task of completing outdoor retailer Blacks’ turnaround. Gemma Goldfingle reports
