Former Debenhams director Cristofoli named chief customer officer at Freemans Grattan

At Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH), which is owned by German giant Otto, Cristofoli will play a key role in reinvigorating the business. Its brands include value fashion business Bonprix and plus-size specialist Curvissa, as well as the core Freemans and Grattan operations.

Cristofoli will work alongside chief executive Ann Steer, the former N Brown chief customer officer who took the helm last year to lead a transformation of FGH, which started as a catalogue business but now generates about 80% of its sales online.

Steer said: “As we reshape our business and drive for the next phase of growth, I am delighted that I am strengthening the [executive management] by appointing Richard Cristofoli.

“Richard has an excellent retail pedigree and will bring extensive experience across many sectors and categories.

“He will work alongside me shaping the strategy, developing our brands, building our marketing and digital capability, and driving our change agenda as we focus on developing FGH as a modern digital business.”

Cristofoli said: “This is obviously an incredibly challenging time for retail, but I am very excited to be joining to help lead the business through this and toward a strategic plan for future growth.”

The new role will reunite Cristofoli with former Debenhams chief executive Sergio Bucher, who is now executive board member for brands and retail at Otto Group.

Otto, which operates in North America and Asia as well as Europe, owns businesses ranging from Crate & Barrel to delivery specialist Hermes.

At Debenhams, which he left last year, Cristofoli was managing director for beauty, marketing and digital.

He previously held senior roles at WHSmith and Sainsbury’s.