Mamas & Papas has announced key changes to its executive team ahead of its planned expansion into international markets.
The high street nursery retailer has promoted chief operating officer Nathan Williams to be its new chief executive and lead the next phase of the company’s growth as it plans to scale into new and existing markets.
The retailer’s incumbent chief executive, Mark Saunders, has been promoted to the role of executive chair. Saunders joined the company three years ago as chief transformation officer.
Williams joined Mamas & Papas in 2018 after senior merchandising roles at Shop Direct (now Very) and Primark.
He was promoted to chief operating officer in 2020 and has since been “a key figure in the company’s turnaround,” the company said.
Over the last three years, Mamas & Papas has turned around a £6m loss to a profit of more than £11m, with sales growing from £95m to £126m in the year ending March 2022.
The retailer posted record Christmas trading figures as its sales went up by 16% in the eight weeks to December 25, 2022.
The company has a presence in 30 overseas markets and hopes to benefit and expand its reach from its reputation as a premium, design-led brand with British heritage.
Williams said: “We’ve built excellent momentum in the past few years in all areas of the business, from our store footprint to our digital offering, from our product to our purpose and from our domestic market to our overseas partnerships. This has helped us win a record share of the market, which is set for further growth.
“With the continuing support of our investors and with Mark as chairman, I’m looking forward to delivering our long-term growth strategy and fulfilling our goal of being the most accessible nursery brand with an unrivalled commitment to its customers.
“This means more concessions, more international trade and further investment in our brand, product, communities and colleagues as we aim to become the global nursery brand of choice.”
Saunders said: “Having helped design and deliver our turnaround strategy over the past three years, Nathan is ideally placed to lead the business during this next period.
“As a business, we have an unprecedented opportunity to grow our scale and share. I’ll be working closely with him, the rest of the executives and our shareholders to help realise the ambition we’ve set for the business.”
- Don’t miss the best of the week – sign up to receive the Editor’s Choice every Friday
No comments yet