Ted Baker appoints chief customer officer

Ted Baker has announced that Jennifer Roebuck will take up the newly created leadership role of chief customer officer (CCO) following a “thorough search process” conducted by the fashion retailer.

Roebuck will move from her current position as chief marketing officer at online beauty market Feel Unique. Prior to this, she acted as multichannel marketing director at French Connection. 

In her new role, Roebuck will lead customer and digital strategy across the business, as well as “explore new digital partnership opportunities to drive accelerated growth”.

Roebuck is currently a non-executive director on the Ted Baker board, but will step down from this role in April as a result of joining the company leadership team full time.

Meanwhile, the company is still looking to appoint a permanent chair and chief executive to its board. The search is currently “progressing well”, and the composition of the board will be reviewed by the future chair.

The search for a new CEO and chair follows the departure of Lyndsay Page and David Bernstein last December. Page had taken up the role only last April, following founder Ray Kelvin’s forced resignation amid allegations of improper conduct and harassment. 

It also follows the recent reveal that Ted Baker’s accounting overstatement, thought to originally fall between £20m-£25m, was actually almost three times higher at £58m.

Acting chair, Sharon Baylay, said: “We are delighted that Jennifer is joining the executive leadership team. 

“Her background in digital transformation and brand marketing, particularly in the lifestyle and clothing sector will be of huge benefit to the leadership team, as they look to position the business for future success.” 

She added: “As Jennifer will be stepping down from the board, I would also like to thank her for her time and valuable contribution up to now.”

Roebuck said: “I’m tremendously pleased to be taking up the role of CCO. My time on the board has strengthened my view that Ted is a great brand and business and I look forward to contributing to its future success.”