Selfridges raids Lane Crawford for new managing director

Keith succeeds Simon Forster, who abruptly exited Selfridges in February.

Keith has been president of Lane Crawford since 2011, having joined in 2001 as a buyer. He has previously held design roles with businesses including Dewhirst and Esprit.

Selfridges said he brought wide experience, having overseen Lane Crawford’s expansion in mainland China, “growing sales and nurturing talent to deliver an innovative and inspiring brand and experience-driven offer for its customers across all channels”.

Keith will take up his new post in February 2021. Selfridges Group managing director Anne Pitcher said: “With Andrew’s knowledge and experience in creating exciting physical and digital destinations and of successfully leading a 170-year-old business in a rapidly changing market, we can look forward to exploring new opportunities under his leadership as we continue to reinvent retail.”

Keith said: “Selfridges’ commitment to people and planet aligns to my own values and I look forward to partnering with the team to deliver exceptional destinations and experiences for our customers.”

He will join the retailer following disruption resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak. The pandemic left central London and Oxford Street, home to Selfridges’ flagship, deserted as commuters worked from home and tourists stayed away.

In July, Selfridges cut 450 jobs, about 14% of the workforce, as the health emergency took its toll.