Fashion retailer Matalan has bolstered its top team with two new senior hires as it continues on a strategic turnaround following the shock departure of chief executive Jo Whitfield last month.
Matalan has named James Dorling as its new director of property as well as Keith Down as non-executive director and chair of the audit committee.
Matalan has poached Dorling from Gymshark where he was most recently head of global real estate and he will be responsible for Matalan’s 220-strong store estate in his new role.
The fashion retailer said Dorling brings “extensive experience” in property management to the business, having also previously held roles at retailers including Wilko, Walgreens, Walmart and Tesco.
Down joins the board following the departure of Paul Copley after he stepped down from Matalan last month.
Down brings experience across retail and finance as well as “valuable expertise from leadership roles” at retail giants including Topps Tiles, Dunelm, Selfridges and Tesco.
Down is currently on the boards of both Topps Tiles and food-to-go retailer Tortilla, and will remain in those positions upon joining Matalan.
Matalan executive chair Karl-Heinz Holland said: “We are thrilled to welcome James and Keith to the business, who both join with relevant expertise that will prove highly valuable as we continue to execute our strategic plan.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Paul Copley for his significant contribution to the business, particularly during his time as chair.”
The news comes following the announcement last month that chief executive Jo Whitfield was stepping down from Matalan to “pursue a portfolio career”.
Matalan chair Holland is acting as executive chair until a successor is named, as Whitfield’s next steps remain unclear.
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