Matchesfashion appoints former Farfetch SVP as Chief Operating Officer

Matchesfashion has appointed former Farfetch SVP Logistics Stuart Hill as its new Chief Operating Officer; this is the second recent high profile appointment at the luxury fashion retailer after it appointed ex ASOS chief Nick Beighton as CEO last week.

Hill is a seasoned professional in the field of logistics and retail and brings with him 25 years of experience. Latterly Hill was Senior Vice President (SVP) of logistics for four years at Farfetch but has also held senior roles at John Lewis and ASOS, where he worked with Beighton. He also founded a number of logistics companies, including wnDirect and Lorry Route, the latter where he remains as chairman. 

During his time at Farfetch, Hill was part of the global leadership team, reporting to the company’s COO. His role saw him set and define global operational and logistical strategy for the business and champion key customer experience improvements. 

Stuart Hill

Hill said of his new role, which he starts in September: “I am delighted to be joining Matchesfashion, a truly authentic leader in luxury fashion. For so long, the business has challenged luxury retail norms and pioneered creative retail experiences. I look forward to joining the outstanding Matchesfashion team, now led by my former boss and mentor Nick Beighton, and taking the business’s unique proposition to even more customers across the globe.” 

Incoming CEO Beighton added: “Having worked with Stuart at ASOS, I have experienced firsthand the operational impact he can have on a business. As a founder of two successful logistics companies, Stuart will also bring a valuable entrepreneurial mindset to Matchesfashion, helping it to remain agile, innovative, and customer centric. 

"I am sure we will all benefit from his industry insight and extensive experience in ecommerce, global logistics, and retail. I am immensely looking forward to being reunited with Stuart at Matchesfashion and starting to work with the exceptional wider team, including our new CFO, Dave Murray."

Beighton was named as CEO for Matchesfashion last week replacing Paolo de Cesare, the former Printemps Group president who was appointed CEO just 10 months ago. De Cesare is conducting a short handover with Beighton, who stood down from ASOS last autumn. Beighton had been CEO at the young fashion giant since 2015, having initially started at the business in 2009 at CFO.

Matchesfashion is owned by investor Apax and was initially founded by Tom and Ruth Chapman as a single store in Wimbledon more than 30 years ago. Today it is a global luxury fashion force centred on its digital presence with an event space and broadcasting hub at 5 Carlos Place in Mayfair, and strategically located stores in London. Its sales to January 2021 were £392m.