People Moves
People Moves tracks leadership changes, senior appointments, and executive reshuffles across the UK retail industry. This section reports on new hires, promotions, and departures within major retail groups, suppliers, and service providers. Retail Sector’s People Moves coverage offers insight into how talent strategy and leadership dynamics influence company direction, governance, and performance — providing retail professionals with an up-to-date view of the industry’s key decision-makers.
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Sep- 2025 -22 September
Debenhams Group appoints new non-exec director in board shuffle
Debenhams Group has announced the appointment of Tom Handley to its board as an independent non-executive director, as senior board member Alistair McGeorge has stepped down with immediate effect. A director at Provenio Law, Handley has previously served as chief executive of Exchange Chambers for 28 years, having joined in…
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19 September
Kering appoints Francesca Bellettini as Gucci CEO
Luxury group Kering has named Francesca Bellettini as president and chief executive of Gucci, reporting to Kering chief executive Luca de Meo. It also announced that Jean-Marc Duplaix will continue as Kering group chief operating officer, supporting de Meo in group development and organisational management. As part of the changes,…
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18 September
Pets at Home CEO steps down as group lowers profit forecast
Pets at Home has announced the immediate departure of chief executive Lyssa McGowan and lowered its full-year 2026 profit forecast to between £90m and £100m. Non-executive chair Ian Burke has assumed the role of executive chair while a search is carried out for a new chief executive. McGowan had led…
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16 September
Gap appoints Universal Music Publishing chief Jody Gerson to board
Gap has appointed Jody Gerson, chairman and chief executive of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), to its board of directors. Gerson, who joined UMPG in 2015, was the first woman to lead a global music publisher. She has signed artists including Adele, Harry Styles, Kendrick Lamar, SZA and Coldplay, and…
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15 September
Frasers Group appoints Jacky Wright as NED
Frasers Group has announced the proposed appointment of Jacky Wright as non-executive director, subject to final board approval on 24 September 2025. Wright is a technology executive with more than 30 years’ experience in digital transformation across both the private and public sectors. She most recently served as chief technology…
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4 September
Mulberry appoints first chief customer and digital officer
Mulberry has appointed Tom Burrow to the newly created role of chief customer and digital officer as the luxury brand continues efforts to revitalise its business. Burrow joins from End Clothing, where he was chief digital officer from 2022 to 2025. He previously also spent two years at Reebok, first…
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3 September
Dobbies launches charity initiative with Alzheimer’s Research
Dobbies Garden Centres has launched a brand-new charity bulb collection that aims to raise £10,000 for its National Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK, which would fund up to 278 hours of scientists’ lab time. The new, limited-edition Sensory Garden 15 Bulbs Collection is now available nationwide, in store and online,…
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3 September
John Lewis appoints former Tesco exec as Waitrose MD
The John Lewis Partnership has appointed Tom Denyard as the managing director of Waitrose. Denyard moves from Tesco, where he has held a number of senior roles including managing director of Tesco Online, CEO of Tesco Mobile and COO of Tesco stores in Malaysia. He also held various positions in…
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1 September
Hotel Chocolat appoints new UK GM
Hotel Chocolat has announced the appointment of Carrie Martin as its new UK general manager, effective 6 October 2025. Her appointment follows the departure of CEO Lysa Hardy after seven years. Martin joins from snack brand Kind, where she has served as general manager for Europe, the Middle East and…
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Aug- 2025 -29 August
Frasers Group appoints Sir Jon Thompson as new chair
Frasers Group has appointed Sir Jon Thompson as its new chair, succeeding David Daly, who will step down at the company’s annual general meeting on 24 September after eight years on the board. Thompson joined the retailer as a non-executive director in June 2024. A former chief executive of the…
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