Matalan appoints new CEO and chair
Karl-Heinz Holland and Jo Whitfield OBE have both previously held senior leadership positions at giant supermarket chains Lidl Group and Co-op
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Leading omnichannel fashion and homeware retailer Matalan has announced the appointment of Jo Whitfield OBE as CEO of the company and Karl-Heinz Holland as chair.
Holland previously spent 23 years at Lidl Group, six of those as CEO. He also served as CEO of DIA Group, a leading network of 5,700 neighbourhood stores across Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Portugal. In addition, he will continue to hold the position of chairman of Takko Fashion GmbH, a successful European discount fashion retailer.
Regarding his new appointment Holland said: “I have been a long-standing admirer of Matalan and believe it’s a business brimming with potential. I am very much looking forward to working with the new owners, Jo, and its dedicated workforce, to help it achieve its potential.”
Whitfield was most recently chief executive of the Co-op’s food division, responsible for the company’s retail, wholesale, online and franchise businesses, as well as the Co-op’s property division. She also led senior positions at Asda leading the general merchandise business. She will now substitute interim CEO of the company Nigel Oddy, who will conclude his six-month role on 31 March.
Whitfield said: “I am delighted to be joining and leading the business through its next exciting phase of growth and modernisation. Matalan is a much- loved brand for its 11 million loyal customers and together with colleagues we will work to strengthen our offer and ensure we give them the great product and value that they and their families need. There are exciting times ahead for all of us that work in the business as we transform Matalan for the future.”
Michael Phelps, one of the anchor investors in Matalan, added: “We are absolutely delighted that Karl-Heinz and Jo have joined Matalan to oversee the next stage of the company’s development.
“Anyone close to the retail world will know the experience and focus that both Karl-Heinz and Jo will bring to their roles. They have a proven track-record of making positive impacts in value retail and are the perfect fit for Matalan as it focuses on this next stage of its growth. They will provide strong leadership and know-how which will help accelerate the transformation of the company.”
