Retail Property - Matalan property chief quits after eight years

Matalan head of estates Graham Seaton leaves today to join privately owned sports retailer Sports World.

Seaton was responsible for finding new retail sites for Matalan, predominantly in secondary locations, as well as being involved closely with refurbishment programmes.

He said: 'I have been at Matalan for eight years, which is a long time in one job, particularly in retail. I found working with Angus Monro difficult, but, since the change of management, things have got better and in some ways I'll be sorry to leave.'

Seaton's resignation was accepted by the Matalan board in November. At the company's annual internal conference earlier this month he was awarded a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Matalan's growth, 'much to the amusement of most of the store managers', he said.

To date, a replacement for Seaton has not been confirmed. His departure completes an exodus of senior managers from the prop-erty department. Matalan's controller of store development quit last year, to be replaced by Gillian Moore.