Monsoon Accessorize has poached a former Dixons Carphone director to head up its ecommerce business, as the retailer looks to reinvigorate its digital channels.

The fashion brand has snapped up Laura Harricks as its digital director from Dixons Carphone, to replace former ecommerce boss Dale Western who left in July.

Western’s departure came at a time when the retailer confirmed that up to 50 head office roles would enter redundancy consultation.

Harricks, who previously held a number of senior digital leadership roles, started her new role in the summer. Prior to Dixons Carphone, she worked for over five years in several roles at Dixons Retail, including as head of CRM, content and social media.

A spokesperson for Monsoon Accessorize said Harricks’ appointment was part of “a broader investment in the growing digital business for both Monsoon and Accessorize brands, including re-platforming and expanding the digital marketing”.

It emerged in August that long-serving Monsoon chief executive Paul Allen would be leaving the business after six years and would not be directly replaced. 

The investment was a part of the retailer’s restructuring plans following its CVA, which was approved by a majority of its creditors at the end of June.

The CVA allowed for Monsoon to cut rents on about half of its 258 stores by between 25% and 65%, but it said it would not close any stores.

In exchange, the retailer offered creditors participation in a £10m annual profit-sharing scheme, in the event its profits recover. Founder Peter Simon also agreed to slash the rent on the head office, in line with reductions the retailer won from landlords.