Lush appoints new UK&I head of retail

Lush has announced the appointment of Kasey Swithenbank as the brand’s new head of retail for the UK and Ireland. 

Swithenbank has over 13 years of experience with the retailer, having previously managed and directed over 100 Lush shop managers. 

She joined Lush as a sales associate in the Cardiff shop in 2010 and moved through the ranks to shop supervisor within the same year. She then got promoted to shop manager in 2012, holding the position through to 2017. 

In her new role, she will bring about new sales initiatives and employee engagement, which previously led to the introduction of “virtual shop visits” during the height of the pandemic.  

She is also championing parental rights in the workplace and shares her pride working for a company that pays the full six month pay for those on parental leave.

Swithenbank said: “I am so excited to be taking on this role at Lush. I’m extremely passionate about our highstreets being memory makers for visitors and believe Lush shops create lasting memories for customers with our staff being day makers. 

“Along with offering experiences beyond retail shopping like spa, parties and more. I’m excited to continue building upon Lush’s success in these areas.”

She added: “Having two young children, I’m a big advocate of finding a balance between home and work life and believe the skills working parents bring to a business are crucial and reason alone for businesses to offer flexibility. I’m very proud that through the support I’ve put in place at Lush our percentage of Retail Managers returning to the workplace after parental leave has increased to over 90% in the last three years.”