The former TK Maxx boss is to lead fashion retailer Republic’s drive for growth. Gemma Goldfingle reports.

Paul Sweetenham

It did not take long for former TK Maxx boss Paul Sweetenham to make his return to retail. Just over a month after he left his role as senior executive president of the discount retailer’s parent company TJX, he was last week revealed as the new chief executive of young fashion chain Republic.

His re-emergence will not come as a surprise to most – he has retail in his blood. He began in the industry as an ambitious 16-year-old when, despite leaving school with no qualifications, he managed to secure a job as an assistant fragrance and cosmetics buyer at a duty free retailer that sold products on the QE2 cruise ship.

It is from those humble beginnings that Sweetenham rose to become the boss of a £1bn business at TK Maxx.

For Republic, Sweetenham is an expert pair of hands to guide the ambitious retailer in what co-founder Tim Whitworth calls a “new chapter of growth”.

Republic, which has the weight of private equity backer TPG and non-executive chairman Andy Bond, a former Asda boss, behind it, has previously said it wants to add 80 more stores to its 120-strong portfolio. Last year it also tested the waters in Europe by opening its website up to overseas shoppers.

Sweetenham, who helped grow 272-store TK Maxx from scratch in the UK and was in charge of its German and Polish businesses, is seen as having the requisite skills to lead the charge.

Whitworth says: “Paul is a wonderful retailer and has more experience in running larger, international businesses than I have. Republic is now at a stage and size that match Paul’s skill set perfectly.”

But Sweetenham’s arrival crowns a period of change for Republic. Whitworth was chief executive of the chain for 10 years, and his withdrawal from executive responsibilities coincides with fellow co-founder Carl Brewins’  decision to step back from the business.

The transition may not be too difficult, however. Bond believes that Whitworth and Sweetenham share some of the same qualities.

Bond says: “He has the same entrepreneurial spirit as Tim, which is still much needed in this business. We’ve definitely got the right man for the job.”

Sweetenham will want to provide some stability to Republic given the recent upheaval. At TK Maxx he built a loyal team around him and the key people he started the business with 18 years ago are still there today.

Like many of the sector’s leaders, it was at Burton Group that Sweetenham learnt his trade. He took a role in branch merchandising on the fashion giant’s training scheme and was soon, alongside Kurt Geiger chief executive Neil Clifford, taken under the wing of managing director Steve Robinson.

He was appointed retail director of the group’s Champion Sports arm before being lured by the prospect of setting up TJX’s UK business, initially as head of retail operations.

It was there that Sweetenham grew into the rounded retail leader he is today. He sampled merchandising, distribution, buying and marketing roles at the discount retailing giant before rising to become president of TK Maxx.

Since he became boss of the discount retailer in 2001, sales have catapulted from £255m to £1.26bn in its financial year to January 2011 and TK Maxx has been an increasingly invaluable way for brands to offload surplus stock.

Experience working alongside brands will prove useful at Republic, which stocks labels including G-Star, Soul Cal and Miso.

Despite keeping a notoriously low profile, Sweetenham is known for his dry sense of humour and blokey banter. Whereas bikes are Bond’s passion, Sweetenham has a penchant for fast cars. He is seen as the man to rev the retailer into the fast lane for growth.

Career history

2012 Chief executive, Republic

1993 TJX Europe, various positions in buying, merchandising and distribution rising to senior executive vice-president of TJX Europe and chairman of TJX business AJ Wright

1987 Burton Group, various positions in merchandising and retail operations, rising to retail director, Champion Sports

1984 Allders International, various positions in merchandising and buying

1981 Allthread Distributor, purchasing department