Moss Bros announces boardroom shakeup

Moss Bros Group has announced a shakeup to its boardroom with the appointment of Avis Darzins as a non-executive director from 1 September 2019.

The suitwear retailer also announced that Maurice Helfgott, following nine years’ service, will no longer be the senior independent non-executive director from 1 October 2019, when the role will be handed over to non-executive director Alex Gersh. The board has asked Helfgott to stay on the board and support Colin Porter until the next AGM in May 2020, at which point he will step down from the board

Moss Bros said Darzins joins the board with “considerable retail experience”, specifically, a strong background in retail operational transformation. Darzins previously worked at Accenture, where she was based for eight years as a partner focusing on the retail and consumer products sector.

During this time she helped to deliver the infrastructure to enable Gap Inc. to launch its Banana Republic brand onto the UK High Street. While also at Accenture she led numerous projects for Sainsbury’s including shaping and leading the first phase of a performance improvement programme focused on delivering the customer promise in the retailer’s top 50 stores.

Darzins also founded her own management consulting practice in 2013.

Colin Porter, chairman, said: “Avis’s significant track record in retail operational transformation is strategically important for the group as we look to strengthen the business for future growth. We are delighted she has decided to join the board to share her considerable experience as we pivot Moss Bros further to be a multichannel business offering with a strong e-commerce platform.

“I also thank Alex for assuming the additional role of senior independent non-executive director and thank Maurice for agreeing to stay on the board until the next AGM and helping us to continue to develop the business.”