Woolworths this week gave the chop to Simon Turner, who joined in January as retail and distribution operations director, and group head of human resources Claire Tiney, who joined in February.
Turner and Tiney left Woolworths earlier this week and will not be replaced. Sources said it was likely further senior heads will roll as new chief executive Steve Johnson seeks to turn around the troubled store group.
A Woolworths spokeswoman said: “One of the things Steve Johnson has made clear is the need to simplify the management structure of the business and make it more responsive. It was clear there were going to be some changes; these are the first of them.”
She added that cost cutting was “not the main thrust” behind the changes, which were “largely about simplifying the structure within the retail business. This is what Steve is most concerned about”. It is unclear when any more redundancies will be made, or how many there might be.
Separately, Homebase commercial director Carolyn Simons has left the DIY retailer within the past two weeks.
Homebase wants to replace Simons, who joined the business in 2004, in time for the next financial year. It said her departure was not part of a wider management restructuring.
In addition, electricals group DSGi has undergone management changes – its group buying director, also called Simon Turner, will leave before Christmas and a replacement has been found.
DSGi’s Turner leaves on December 19. He has been with the group 10 years and is a member of the executive team, which sits under the main board.
Turner has been succeeded by Steve Ager, who joined last week and reports to chief executive John Browett. Ager previously worked for Tesco, where he held a number of commercial and buying roles in the UK and globally.
No comments yet