Matalan hires ex-N Brown boss as chief commercial officer

Matalan has appointed former N Brown retail CEO Sarah Welsh as its new chief product, brand and commercial officer.

The retailer said Welsh, who joins on 10 March, will be responsible for “putting customers at the heart of Matalan’s proposition”.

She is tasked with ensuring products “always meet customers’ desire for great quality and value”, help it grow market share, and appeal to a broader audience.

Welsh has spent the last five years as retail chief executive at N Brown Group, where she transformed its traditional catalogue offer to a more digital footing.

She brings with her nearly 30 years of experience in the retail industry and previously was the managing director of Oasis Fashion.

She also held senior buying roles at Miss Selfridge and River Island after starting her career at Laura Ashley.

Matalan executive chair Karl-Heinz Holland said: “Sarah has deep experience in driving transformation within retail businesses, and we are delighted to welcome her to Matalan.

“Her passion for the customer proposition coupled with her sharp commercial insight and extensive leadership experience makes her a great fit for our senior team.”

Welsh added: “Matalan is a much-loved brand that puts customers firmly at the heart of the offer.

“The business has strong foundations and a fantastic team, and I look forward to driving Matalan’s transformation forward as we seek to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.”

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