Exclusive: Poundland retail and digital bosses exit in leadership reshuffle
Poundland has restructured its leadership team under new boss Barry Williams as part of his efforts to turnaround the struggling retailer.
Poundland has restructured its leadership team under new boss Barry Williams as part of his efforts to turnaround the struggling retailer.
Around a dozen senior team leaders in the discount chain’s digital, commercial, buying and retail teams left the business earlier this month, Retail Gazette has learnt.
Among those impacted by the job cuts include director of digital Tom Hill, head of digital loyalty and engagement Emma Collins, head of labour and productivity Steve Young and head of retail excellence Pete Wyatt.
A Poundland spokesperson told Retail Gazette: “Around a dozen individuals left the business in early April as Barry put in place a smaller leadership team. It goes without saying that we wish those who left us well.”
The new leadership team sees store bosses Darren MacDonald and Olivia McLoughlin head up the retailer’s retail operations in the UK and Ireland.
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Williams was drafted in by Poundland owner Pepco at the start of the year to lead the business on an interim basis after managing director Austin Cooke took up a role at Howdens.
Williams, who had been working for the group’s European business, was appointed on a permanent basis last month when it Pepco announced it had put the discount chain up for sale.
The group, which has hired Teneo to handle an auction, said in March that it was “actively exploring” a sale of the retail business, claiming the UK retail market had remained “increasingly challenging” with additional tax changes coming into effect this month set to impact its cost base.
It added that Poundland had continued its negative like-for-like sales performance for the first two months of the year, with an “underperformance of all categories”.
Last week, it was reported that Bensons for Beds owner Alteri was among a number of interested parties to take on the Poundland business.
The investment company is thought to be gearing up to submit an offer for the discount retailer within the coming weeks.
It is understood that the retailer’s 825 store portfolio could be at risk as the group looks to offload the chain.
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