Fat Face snaps up Drapers editor for communications role

Fat Face confirmed it has appointed Keely Stocker as its new marketing and brand communications director, with the current trade magazine editor due to take up her new role later this month.

Stocker has worked at Drapers since June 2005, when she joined as an administrator. She was made online editor in February 2009 and was named as editor of the magazine in October 2015.

According to Drapers, in her 14 years at the title, Stocker has “created, developed and executed Drapers’ multichannel brand strategy across print, online and live events”.

Stocker said she was “hugely excited to start a new chapter in my career. Fat Face has a brilliant team, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Ecommerce and brand director at Fat Face, Paul Wright, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Keely to Fat Face. Keely’s retail, brand and strategy credentials make her the perfect choice to further complement the Fat Face team.”

It follows significant changes in terms of senior staff at the retailer, with new chief executive Liz Evans coming to the business in March, replacing former boss Anthony Thompson. In June, design director Emma Shaw also left after eight years.

For the 26 weeks to December 1, 2018, Fat Face posted a 4% increase in EBITDA to £15.5m. International sales also surged 59% to £8.7m.