Debenhams appoints new fashion and home boss from Holt Renfrew
Debenhams has appointed Steven Cook, the former chief merchant at Canadian retailer Holt Renfrew, as its new managing director for fashion and home.
He will join the business in early January and his responsibilities involve leading the business unit that oversees the organisation’s buying, design and merchandising divisions for fashion and home as it continues with its transformation strategy, Debenhams Redesigned. As part of the strategy the business will be organised under three business units; beauty and beauty services; fashion and home; and food and events.
Debenhams CEO Sergio Bucher said the appointment came "following a comprehensive global search to find the right candidate". "Steven brings great credentials to the role and by organising under three business units, our managing directors will have more visibility and accountability for delivering the customer experience,” he said.
Cook added: “I am hugely excited to become part of the Debenhams team at this time of transformation. I look forward to leading the team in delivering both product development and a retailing experience which drives the Debenhams Redesigned strategy.”
Prior to joining Holt Renfrew, a division of Selfridges Group, Cook was divisional vice president and general manager, apparel and accessories for Sears Canada, and his CV also includes time spent at Calvin Klein, Badgley Mischka, Polo Ralph Lauren, J. Crew and Nike.
In addition to the Cook appointment Debenhams has announced that former marketing director Richard Cristofoli has been appointed to the role of managing director for beauty, beauty services and marketing while retail director, Ross Clemmow will broaden his role to become managing director for retail, digital, food and events.
