Lord Harris takes backseat as Carpetright rejigs board

Lord Harris’s son, Martin Harris, who was formerly commercial director, will take up the new board-level role of group development director. His remit will include “all aspects of customer-facing activities” such as store development, marketing and building digital operations.

Graham Harris, who is not a relation of the Carpetright Harris family, has been recruited to the new role of trading director. He starts on Tuesday May 7 and will have a seat on the executive committee. His responsibilities will be product, buying and logistics.

Graham Harris worked for 12 years at Tesco, up until 2011. He was most recently chief executive of Tesco Mobile and Tesco Telecoms. He also brings experience from House of Fraser, Burton and Woolworths.

Carpetright chief executive Darren Shapland said: “As part of the management succession plan, we have been working hard over the last 12 months to put in place the best possible future management structure. 

“I’m pleased to be welcoming Graham Harris to the group. He is a highly experienced retail executive, with a near 30-year track record at some of the UK’s largest and most successful retailers, and his background in hardline categories leaves him well-qualified to take on the trading director post.

“Graham’s appointment will free up time for Martin to focus on critical growth aspects of our business, such as the development of our customer proposition, including how our stores look and feel, the Carpetright brand, our marketing programme and developing our digital channel. 

“In line with the succession plan we began implementing in mid-2012, Lord Harris will reduce his day to day involvement but will be working closely with Graham and the team over the coming period to ensure a smooth transition.”