Foyles CEO Sam Husain to retire and be succeeded by Paul Currie
Foyles has announced that its chief executive Sam Husain will be retiring on his 68th birthday in April and will be succeeded by Paul Currie.
Having joined Foyles in 2007, Husain has been credited with steering the business through five consecutive years of profitable trading and overseeing a move to a new flagship store on London’s Charing Cross Road.
Foyles’ non-executive chairman Christopher Foyle said: “Sam has been invaluable to Foyles’ continuing renaissance. His leadership has made the past eight years exceptional, culminating in a superb Christmas at our new flagship store and across the business, and news of an exciting new opening in Birmingham. I have enjoyed working with Sam enormously. I’m looking forward to welcoming Paul Currie to Foyles and benefiting from his extensive experience in the retail sector.”
Currie began his career with store management positions at Marks & Spencer before rising through the ranks to manage the retailer’s regional European store development in France. He then held senior roles at River Island and Hamleys before acting as a consultant to a number of retail brands including Cath Kidston and The White Company. He has also worked as vice president of global retail sales at Molton Brown and, most recently, was strategy adviser to the executive chairman of Crabtree and Evelyn.
Husain will cease to be chief executive when Currie joins the business on 16 February but will continue until 30 April to facilitate a smooth handover. He will then become a non-executive director of the business.
Husain said: “The almost eight years I have been CEO of Foyles have been enjoyable and fulfilling. The staff, managers and management team are committed and second to none and are now led by a capable and proven CEO. I believe the company is in excellent hands and in a good position to grow further and benefit from opportunities that arise.”
