New Look’s previous chief executive Anders Kristiansen has been appointed to the same role of fashion firm Esprit as it ramps up its Chinese growth ambitions.

Kristiansen, who exited New Look with immediate effect in September after several consecutive quarters of plunging sales, will succeed Esprit’s chief executive José Manuel Martínez Gutiérrez.

Gutiérrez is set to exit the retailer on June 1 while independent non-executive chairman Raymond Or Ching Fai will become executive chairman for the firm next month.

Ching Fai will reportedly spearhead Esprit’s “very ambitious” expansion plans in China in his new role.

Ching Fai said: “Kristiansen is a well-rounded and seasoned executive in the fashion industry, with extensive experience in successful business development both in Europe and Asia, especially China.

“As former chief executive of New Look Retail Group, Kristiansen has a sound track record of leading complex growth and expansion projects.

“The board has every confidence that Kristiansen will successfully lead Esprit into the next phase of growth and look forward to working with him to achieve that goal.”

Prior to his five-year stint at the helm of New look, Kristiansen acted as chief executive of Bestseller’s Chinese arm.

Topics