UK's Matalan announces executive & board changes

Holland brings a wealth of experience from the retail and consumer goods sectors. He spent 23 years at Lidl Group, six as CEO, responsible for leading the group’s major expansion across Europe. He has also served as CEO of DIA Group, a leading network of 5,700 neighbourhood stores across Spain, Argentina, Brazil, and Portugal.

Since May 2018, he has been chairman of Takko Fashion, a European discount fashion retailer. From January 2021 until April 2022, he served as Takko’s executive chairman and CEO. He will continue to serve as chairman of Takko Fashion.

Whitfield was most recently the 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 oversaw revenues of £10.8 billion in 2021 and was responsible for over 55,000 employees.

Prior to her role at the co-op, she held senior leadership positions at Asda, leading the general merchandise business and serving as VP for operations, e-comm and international at George. She was also the head of finance at Matalan between 2002 and 2008. Nigel Oddy will conclude his interim CEO role on March 31 and will undertake an orderly handover of his responsibilities to Jo and the wider executive team, the company said in a press release.

Michael Phelps, partner at Tresidor Investment Management, one of the anchor investors in Matalan, said, “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.”

“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,” Karl-Heinz 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,” Jo Whitfield said.

“As I conclude my six months at Matalan, I am proud to have led the excellent teams here in ensuring a secured position for this unique and family-focused value retailer. Matalan is now shored up to deliver on its growth ambitions, with reduced debt and a clear strategy and I am pleased it will be in capable hands for this next chapter,” Nigel Oddy said.

Further to the above changes, Paul Copley will step down from his interim chair role and will remain on the board as a non-executive director. Simultaneously, Chris Mallon will step down from his non-executive role on the board.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)