Oak Furniture Land hires two new directors as expansion continues

Former Steinhoff director Sara Bird joins Oak Furniture Land as services director. She previously held director positions in retail operations at Boots, Specsavers and B&Q.

In addition, head of retail Paul Burgham has been promoted to director of retail operations. Burgham, who was previously commercial director at Bensons, has overseen Oak Furniture Land’s growth from 12 to 50 stores over the past 18 months.

Oak Furniture Land opened 14 stores last year and Burgham and his team plan to expand at the same pace over the next year. He will be focussing on “marquee locations” for stores in major UK towns and cities.

He said: “My job now is to focus on further developing the retail infrastructure as the business moves to the next level in terms of size, performance and capabilities. 

“We still have ambitious plans for further growth, but with more of a strategic focus on securing prime locations for new stores and reviewing the stores that are now approaching anniversaries, to make sure they are meeting performance expectations.”

Bird’s focus will be to streamline and strengthen the customer journey and identify new efficiencies and processes that are cost-effective for the business. She will work across all customer-facing departments from delivery drivers to online customer service teams.

Bird said: “I came into the business with a 100-day plan in mind. At the heart of this plan is the development of a sustainability platform for the business, focused around engagement and transparency. The company is now maturing as we reach a certain size and my job is to communicate our longevity and commitment to our staff and customers alike.”

Oak Furniture Land sales soared 140% to £85m in its year to January 2013, as pre-tax profit jumped from £3.9m to £9.2m.