Following the shock announcement that long-term chief executive Paul Marchant had left Primark with immediate effect earlier this week, Retail Week looks at the early runners and riders to replace him in one of the biggest jobs in UK fashion.
Since Paul Marchant stood down from Primark, after admitting to an “error of judgement” following an allegation made by a woman about his behaviour towards her in a “social environment”, speculation has been swirling around who might step into his shoes.
With ABF finance director Eoin Tonge taking to the helm on an interim basis, working alongside the senior management team and strategic advisory board, only time will tell if Primark will poach from afar or promote permanently from within.
But what other names are going around the retail industry? And how likely are these individuals to step into the mammoth job of being chief executive at fashion giant Primark?
Eoin Tonge
Formerly group chief financial officer at Marks & Spencer and most recently finance director at Primark’s parent company ABF, Tonge has been drafted in as interim chief executive following Marchant’s shock exit.
And while his previous experience is heavily weighted towards the finance department rather than specifically retail, the general feeling among sources is that it is likely Tonge will take on the role permanently following a search for a successor. The only thing that remains unclear is whether or not Tonge would want the position permanently, or if he is simply the best bet to step in under the current circumstances.
Kari Rodgers
Currently Primark’s retail director in the UK, Kari Rodgers proudly led the team through significant investment last year as Primark celebrated its 50th anniversary on the British high street and invested £100m into its UK store estate.
She’s been working at Primark for almost a decade and has held various roles, starting out as an area manager in 2015 and working her way up to regional controller, director of sales in the UK, and as of 2021, has been Primark’s UK retail director.
Rodgers took Retail Week around its Oxford Street East store towards the end of last year to talk about the retailer’s journey on the high street, and it would be fair to say she is well and truly immersed in Primark’s past, present and future—a dedication that some think makes her a prime candidate to take the next step up to chief executive.
Katie Bickerstaffe
Stuart Machin’s former co-chief executive Katie Bickerstaffe is a well-respected leader who Marks & Spencer credited for “reshaping the business” during her time. During her run at M&S she was at the heart of its revival alongside Machin, and marked the retailer’s first female boss in its history.
Bickerstaffe took charge of the retailer’s clothing and home business, a critical part of the M&S revival which has now pivoted its clothing to be deemed ’stylish’ and ‘trendy’ once again, as well as its financial services and international presence—all skills that a source thinks would bump her to the top of Primark’s chief executive candidate hit list as it continues to ramp up growth worldwide.
Liz Evans
George at Asda’s current managing director Liz Evans has a plethora of retailers on her CV including the likes of Oasis, Warehouse and FatFace following earlier years in her career spent at M&S.
Evans’ name is on the lips of analysts and industry executives alike, with many suggesting she would bring a “fresh perspective” to the business, according to The Times. It’s in doubt however whether Evans would be willing to relocate to Dublin, where Primark’s head office is situated.
Richard Price
Another retail executive who played a pivotal part in the M&S ‘transformation’ during his time, Richard Price was the managing director for the M&S clothing, home and beauty business for almost five years after being appointed in July 2020.
Currently a non-executive director at thriving fashion retailer Nobody’s Child and with experience at the likes of BHS and F&F Clothing under his belt, analysts think his experience could lead him nicely towards the new vacancy at Primark.
Despite this, Price left M&S to pursue a “portfolio” career and with many suggesting he was keen to step away from “full-time executive life”, it is questionable as to how tempting this mammoth role will be to him.
Helen Connolly
New Look’s Helen Connolly is yet another retail chief executive with an impressive CV. Connolly has been at the helm of New Look since June 2022, having previously been chief commercial officer for two and a half years, and has also worked at the likes of Bonmarché, George at Asda and Dorothy Perkins.
With “tough trading conditions” being cited in its most recent trading update and its Irish business having recently ceased trading, it would be fair to say things haven’t been particularly smooth sailing for New Look of late. Despite the business pledging its confidence in the UK business, one source questioned if after a respectable run at the helm it might just be the perfect time for Connolly to jump ship.
Richard Cristofoli
Another respected retail executive currently in the market for a new role is ex Freemans chief customer officer Richard Cristofoli. Having been at the helm of the Debenhams beauty business as well as holding a senior marketing role at the retailer for several years prior, and being group chief marketing officer at WHSmith before that, Cristofoli is well versed in all things retail.
Having posted on his LinkedIn that he was eyeing up the “next transformation challenge”, it remains to be seen if the new job at Primark would have sparked his interest but one source thinks he would more than be up for the gig.
Rachel Osborne
No stranger to stepping up to the plate amid a scandal, Rachel Osborne took on the role of chief executive at Ted Baker at the vital time of March 2020. She stepped up to lead the British fashion retailer following a number of profit warnings, and amid both an accounting scandal as well as the infamous misconduct scandal in relation to former boss and Ted Baker founder Ray Kelvin.
She’s been out of the retail spotlight in recent years having taken on non-executive and chair roles at a number of businesses including the Ocado Group and while industry sources haven’t questioned her credibility, they are unsure if she’d be up for the scale of the job.
Jane Eskriett
A name that has been thrown into the ring is River Island’s joint managing director Jane Eskriett, another one in this list with an impressive fashion background. Eskriett was brand director at Ann Summers, as well as being managing director of Karen Millen, Coast, Oasis and Warehouse under the Boohoo Group for almost three years prior to joining River Island.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she brings experience in driving channel growth as well as change and transformation within mature businesses. She also says delivering profit and loss results is “at the heart” of what she does alongside her “collaborative leadership style”—something that would likely sit well with ABF.
One source questioned whether Eskriett would relocate to Dublin and with River Island remaining tight-lipped of late, it’s up for debate as to whether this would be the right time for her to jump ship.
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