Debenhams poaches Dixons Carphone operations director Paul Justice and Dune executive Ben Jobling

Justice will take on the role of retail operations director from October 23.

He replaces Simon Dales, who is retiring after 47 years at the department store chain.

Justice joined Dixons as regional manager for the South and Southeast prior to its merger with Carphone Warehouse.

He then took on responsibility for London stores, before working as central operations director, a role which he held onto after its merger. 

Justice said: “I have had a fantastic five years in this role with Dixons Carphone, establishing the central operations operating model, retail processes and integrating the two brands from a central operations perspective when we merged with the Carphone Warehouse business.”

The departure of Justice is the third senior exit from Dixons Carphone in less than a month.

He joins Debenhams at a crucial time in the retailer’s development as boss Sergio Bucher restructures the business around three core areas of fashion and home, beauty and beauty services and food and events.

The restructure, which will support its Debenhams Redesigned strategy, has resulted in trading director Suzanne Harlow departing the business after more than two decades, as her role no longer exists.

Meanwhile, Jobling, who spent three and a half years as Dune’s international franchise and wholesale director, joined the department store business last month.

Earlier in his career, Jobling spent more than a decade at Ted Baker, where he eventually became head of international, and went on to serve as Nokia’s global head of merchandising between April 2010 and October 2012.

Dune has replaced Jobling with FitFlop’s general manager for EMEA James Radford, who will be charged with spearheading Dune’s push overseas.

The footwear business launched in 10 new locations in South America last month, as well as opening its 33rd store in the Middle East and two new standalone shops in Switzerland and Serbia.

Dune executive chairman Daniel Rubin added: “This is a significant step in our strategy to become the leading global affordable luxury footwear and accessories brand.

“We are delighted to have James join our board and fortunate to have extremely strong international networks and partners to ensure we continue to expand our global reach.”