Boohoo names responsible sourcing director to shore up supply chain

Reaney, who previously held the role of product operations director at Primark, represents a key hire for the under-fire online fashion business as it seeks to bounce back from allegations of modern slavery. 

Boohoo has mapped out an “agenda for change” within its Leicester supply chain after it found itself at the centre of the scandal in July. 

The etailer launched an independent review into its supply chain, which was conducted by Alison Levitt QC.

The probe revealed “many failings” in its work with garment manufacturers in Leicester and recommended a series of improvements to Boohoo’s corporate governance, compliance and monitoring processes.  

The hire of Reaney, who joined Primark in 2011 and was appointed as operations director in 2018, is just one of the significant steps Boohoo is taking in a bid to shore up its supply chain. 

It said last month that it was also “close” to appointing “a highly experienced and respected individual” to oversee its change agenda, while it also plans to bring in two new non-executive directors, one of which would have a background in dealing with environmental, social and governance matters.

Boohoo chief executive John Lyttle, who worked with Reaney at Primark during his time as chief operating officer, has committed to putting all Levitt’s suggestions into action, vowing to “get it right”.

MPs, however, have called for both Lyttle and Boohoo co-founder Mahmud Kamani to resign from their roles for “allowing these appalling failures to take place”.