Wilkinson on the hunt for chief operating officer amid head office restructure

The yet-to-be appointed chief operating officer will take the helm alongside Wilkinson chief finance officer Ian Ellis, it is understood. The value general merchandise retailer has opted not to replace former chief executive Stuart Mitchell, who left the business last year.

The move comes as Wilkinson reviews its senior management team at head office. It is understood the consultation, which is expected to conclude in the new year, will impact up to 100 people across category heads and departmental managers who fall just below director level. Sources indicated that the restructure will result in about 10 job cuts.

A Wilkinson spokesman said the restructure will help align its team with its new product-led and multichannel strategy and will help the business grow “well into the future”. He insisted that the consultation was “not a cost cutting exercise”. It is understood staff will be encouraged to apply for alternative positions or voluntary redundancy.

The Wilkinson spokesman said: “The board’s priority is to fully align structure behind strategy: to place the right leadership in the right teams at the centre of a new highly responsive structure capable of maintaining Wilko’s unique place in the ever-changing retail environment.”

Wikinson declined to comment on what the new structure will look like.

He added: “The business remains robust and profitable and the changes will empower senior management teams throughout the business to work together more efficiently towards greater success in the future.”

In the 53 weeks to February 2 Wilkinson generated a 21% surge in pre-tax profit to £27.5m but the retailer said this came in below expectations.