New Look franchise director Alex Cara has become the latest high-profile departure from the value fashion retailer as its new management refocuses on its core UK operations
Cara, who joined the business in October 2009 from Spanish retail group Cortefiel where he was head of franchising, left New Look earlier this month. It is unclear if he has another role to go to.
His exit follows the appointment in April of former Matalan chief executive Alistair McGeorge as executive chairman, who last week revealed that he would kick off a review of the business focused on turning around its UK arm.
New Look group development director Nigel Darwin has been promoted to managing director of international partnerships, with responsibility for the retailer’s franchise operations. He reports to chief operating officer Will Kernan, who is in charge of New Look’s company-owned stores overseas among other responsibilities.
New Look founder Tom Singh was drafted back in to the business in March following the ousting of chief executive Carl McPhail. Singh then brought in McGeorge and reinstated group design director Barbara Horspool and group buying director for clothing Roger Wightman, who had previously exited under McPhail.
New Look revealed last week that pre-tax profits of £36m in 2009/10 were wiped out at the 1,000 store business in its latest financial year. It blamed the poor performance on the disruption caused by its head office move from Weymouth to London and its attempt to float the business last year.
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