Fat Face has poached Oasis and Warehouse boss Liz Evans to succeed Anthony Thompson as its chief executive, Retail Week can reveal.
Evans, who has led the two Aurora Fashions-owned chains since 2013, will take the reins at Fat Face after Thompson steps down next January.
Oasis and Warehouse has promoted chief operating officer Hash Ladha to the role of group chief executive.
Evans started her career at Marks & Spencer, holding various roles across retail, womenswear and its international division.
She later became head of selling for womenswear and M&S’ Per Una brand.
Evans – an ambassador for Retail Week’s Be Inspired campaign to inspire and promote the careers of female retail leaders – became managing director of Coast in 2005 and took the same role at sister retailer Oasis in 2010.
She took over as boss of Oasis and Warehouse three years later.
News of her departure has emerged less than a month after Oasis and Warehouse posted a 48% spike in EBITDA during the year to February 24.
The group enjoyed a 5% increase in like-for-like sales and a 20% jump in online sales despite competing in what Evans described as a “challenging” retail environment.
Fat Face chairman Lord Rose said: “I’m delighted that Liz will be joining us at an exciting time for the brand. She not only brings substantial experience of the UK and international clothing market, but understands our customers.
“Liz also joins at a positive time for the Fat Face brand as trading is resilient and we are seeing the benefit of key infrastructure investment.”
Evans added: “I am delighted to be joining Fat Face, which is a brand that I hugely admire. I am looking forward to working with Stuart, the board and all the crew at Fat Face to build on the success that has already been achieved under Anthony’s leadership.”
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