Fashion retailer River Island has announced Jane Eskriett and Richard Grainger as its new co-managing directors and Kirsty Homer as chief people officer, in a move to strengthen its executive team, Retail Week can reveal.
Eskriett joins from the Boohoo group, where she was most recently managing director of Karen Millen, Oasis, Coast and Warehouse.
River Island said that Eskriett would bring “much experience in customer engagement and product development” to her new role.
River Island also signed Grainger from Next’s Europe and North Africa sourcing division, where he has been managing director since 2019, bringing with him experience across merchandising and channel optimisation.
New chief people officer Homer has held a series of senior positions, including at Mothercare, John Lewis and, most recently, as group HR director at kitchen supplier Howdens.
Homer’s experience would add “extensive strategic HR and people management experience both in the UK and internationally” to River Island’s leadership, the retailer said.
River Island executive chair Richard Bradbury said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jane, Richard and Kirsty to River Island. Their strong skills and experience will be an asset to the board, our customers and our people.”
The announcement comes following the news that retail director Steve Morris stepped down from the business in July after more than three years in the role.
River Island reported operating profits of £73.5m in its latest trading update for the full year to December 25, 2021, up from a loss of £36.2m, and EBITDA for the period of £94.8m. Revenues jumped 23.2% to £740m in the year.
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