German department store group Karstadt has named Andrew Jennings as chief executive.

Jennings, whose likely appointment was revealed by Retail Week (November 12) starts on January 1 next year and succeeds Thomas Fox, the restructuring specialist parachuted into Karstadt after it was rescued from insolvency in June.

Jennings has previously worked for department stores including Harrods, Saks Fifth Avenue and Holt Renfrew and was most recently managing director of Woolworths South Africa.

Karstadt chairman Alain Caparros said Jennings’ “international expertise and his ability to drive innovations based on his economic foresight are crucial and will set the course for our renewed growth.”

Jennings said: “I am confident that we have the potential to enhance our position as a truly world-class retailer benchmarked against the best in the industry.”

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