Jigsaw's search for new Design Director and CFO underway
Jigsaw has confirmed that its CFO, Steve Thew, and Design Director, Julia Reimann, will be stepping down from their respective roles to pursue new opportunities, with a search for their replacements now underway.
Both Thew and Reimann will remain with Jigsaw during the recruitment process to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities, a spokesperson for the brand has confirmed.
An exact date of their departures has not been announced and is likely dependent on individual arrangements such as notice periods and the timing of new appointments.
Thew has been with Jigsaw for over five years, joining in 2021 from Ballyclare International, a European designer and manufacturer of workwear and protective clothing. Prior to this, he was Chief Commercial Officer at Antler and held senior leadership positions at Boden. He has not yet announced where his next opportunity will take him.
Reimann has been in the role of Design Director for over four years, joining Jigsaw from Stine Goya, the Copenhagen-based womenswear brand known for its colourful, bold prints. Prior to this, she held senior leadership roles at Peter Pilotto and Isa Arfen, and worked as a fashion consultant.
"We would like to thank Steve and Julia for all they have done whilst at Jigsaw, with both having major roles in helping the business move on from a challenging period," a spokesperson for Jigsaw told TheIndustry.fashion.
"We are all very grateful for their hard work and contribution to developing and delivering the turnaround plan that has enabled the business to commit to opening 10 new stores across the UK."
Jigsaw has recently strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Chris Browne as Retail Director, who will oversee the next phase of its bricks-and-mortar expansion.
The brand is looking to expand its retail footprint by almost a quarter as it sets its sights on an ambitious 2026, following a strong Christmas trading period and the completion of a strategic turnaround that has returned the British brand to growth.
The retailer had first announced its ambitions in February. It currently has 45 standalone stores across the UK, as well as a number of concession stores. With the announced store expansion, it will add another 10 stores to its portfolio this year.
This follows Jigsaw's 2025/26 festive trading period, which saw sales increase by 26% year-on-year, reflecting renewed customer engagement across all channels.
In-store sales increased by 14%, online sales rose by 34% and concession sales climbed by 46%, signalling broad-based momentum for the heritage retailer.
The performance follows a strategic reset initiated in the second quarter of 2025, including a capital injection from Jigsaw’s majority shareholder and the appointment of Tikki Godley as Managing Director.
In an exclusive interview with TheIndustry.fashion, Godley outlined the brand's evolving retail strategy, which would focus on digital innovation without compromising the brand’s hallmark quality or the intimacy of its stores.
"Digital development has become key for all businesses and is constantly evolving, so it will most definitely be a core focus," she noted.
"However, this cannot be to the detriment of our stores, which need to retain their individuality, customer service and loyal customer base. If and when the right opportunities arise, we will always look to expand our store estate."
The time for this retail expansion has now come. While the focus right now is on perfecting the brand's UK operations, Godley also noted in her interview that she has her eyes on the global horizon.
“North America and the Middle East are huge markets where British brands tend to resonate strongly. With marketplace models making it easier than ever to test and learn, multiple regions can launch within a relatively short time frame,” she added.
