Finance director Dulieu takes up new role

Fashion retailer Hobbs has appointed Nicky Dulieu as chief operating officer. Dulieu joined from Marks & Spencer as finance director in 2006.

Dulieu will assume responsibility for merchandising, retail store operations and supply chain management. She will report to chief executive Nick Samuel, who will have more time to lead the strategic development of Hobbs as a result of Dulieu’s new role.

Dulieu will remain as finance director until a successor has been recruited.

Samuel said: “I am delighted to appoint Nicky to this newly created role that clearly reflects our continued commitment to build Hobbs into a leading brand.”

Hobbs revealed that turnover in the year to January this year rose 24.2 per cent, from£77.2 million to£94.7 million. EBITDA jumped 49 per cent to£20.8 million.

Hobbs is setting up a trial shop-in-shop in Hong Kong this autumn, having already launched three stores in the Middle East with a franchise partner. It intends to increase its number of UK stores by 106 to 115 by January next year.