Wilko has promoted its Group Transformation Director Jerome Saint-Marc to the role of Chief Executive amid several management changes.
It is the first time someone has held the CEO role at Wilko since Stuart Mitchell stepped down in 2012, with the value-orientated chain saying the move will support its drive to become a more product-focused omnichannel business.
Saint-Marc will sit on the Wilko holding board alongside family director and Chair Lisa Wilkinson, Chief Finance Officer Alex Russo, and Non-Executive Directors Chris Martin and Dalton Philips.
The move to a Chief Executive leadership model has led to Andrew Moore stepping down as Chief Commercial Officer.
Wilkinson said: “As group transformation director, Jerome is already a high performing and widely respected member of our leadership team and has played a key role in both the development and delivery of our long-term strategy and programme of change.
“More recently he’s taken on greater commercial responsibility as managing director of Wilko.com. We’re confident this appointment set us up well to keep sorting the needs of hard-working families in their homes and gardens through greater product focus.”
Meanwhile, the group also announced the appointment of Christian Ward as its Retail Director. He was previously Chief Commercial Officer of Jollyes Pet Superstores where he steered the retailer through a period of growth. Before that, he held leadership roles at Marks & Spencer, B&Q and Tuffnells.
In addition, Alison Hands has been promoted to the position of Trading Director. Previously Wilko’s Commercial Implementation Director, she joined the business 18 months ago after working with retailers such as The Body Shop and Boots.
The Wilko chain returned to profit in its last financial year, aided by a cost-cutting drive. However, sales slipped amidst the “challenging” trading environment.
NAM Implications:
- Await some further clarification of ‘a more product-focused omnichannel business’.
- Meanwhile, having sorted its bottom line, the new CEO will have to focus on driving sales…
- …with a close eye on financial performance.
- Meaning opportunities for NAMs that can calculate cost and demonstrate impact upon Wilko’s P&L…
