Debenhams retail director Mike Goring quits as stores and online arms merge

The newly merged unit will be led by Ross Clemmow, formerly Debenhams’ ecommerce director, who will be retail director for the UK and Ireland.

The shake-up comes as Debenhams is on the cusp of naming its new chief executive to replace outgoing boss Michael Sharp.

Goring, who joined Debenhams from BHS in January 2012, will leave the department store group at the start of next month. Prior to his role at BHS, Goring was group operations director at Arcadia Group, which owned BHS until March last year. He also held various roles at the Burton Group from 1989 to 1997.

A Debenhams spokeswoman told Retail Week: “We can confirm that Mike Goring has decided to leave Debenhams after four years as retail director. His contribution has been greatly valued and he leaves retail in great shape.” 

It is not known whether Goring is leaving the retailer for another role. 

Clemmow joined Debenhams from Home Retail Group in 2013 and was promoted to its executive committee in 2014.

His promotion mirrors developments at other retailers, which have also merged their stores and online management teams to keep up with the development of multichannel.

Other appointments

Further changes at the department store chain include the hire of David Smith as international director.

Smith is currently managing director of Asia Pacific for The Body Shop, and will join Debenhams on May 3.

Existing marketing director Richard Cristofoli will take on additional responsibilities for digital design and creative, online photography, editorial content and print services. This move brings all marketing and creative functions under his control.

Clemmow, Smith and Cristofoli will report directly to Debenhams’ chief executive.

Smith will join will join the executive committee, to sit with Clemmow and Cristofoli and finance boss Matt Smith, group trading director Suzanne Harlow, operations director Peter Swann and HR director Nikki Zamblera.