Debenhams trading director Suzanne Harlow to leave the business
Debenhams group trading director Suzanne Harlow is to step down from her role.
In a statement, Debenhams said Harlow will leave the business on 20 October to “explore new opportunities elsewhere”.
To support the delivery of its new Debenhams Redesigned strategy, the company said it is creating three new business units to cover fashion and home, beauty and beauty services, and food and events.
As a result, it said the main board role of group trading director will no longer exist.
Each business unit will now be led by a member of the executive committee. Going forward, this will include Debenhams chief executive Sergio Bucher, chief financial officer Matt Smith, retail director Ross Clemmow as well as marketing director Richard Cristofoli, international director David Smith, technology and supply chain director Angela Morrison, and HR director Sally Hyndman.
Debenhams will be recruiting a new executive committee member with responsibility for the fashion and home business but in the interim period the division will be headed up by Bucher.
Bucher said: “I would like to thank Suzanne personally for her support since my arrival at Debenhams in October last year. She has done an excellent job since she joined Debenhams in 1994 and over the last eight years as group trading director has driven growth in categories such as beauty, accessories, food and gifts.
“We have strengthened the management team over the last 12 months and now have a structure in place to support our ambition to become a leader in social shopping.”
