Retail analyst Hyman joins executive recruitment firm

Leading retail analyst Richard Hyman has joined executive search and advisory business Retail Executives as an adviser to its board.

Hyman will be providing strategic advice across all elements of the business such as executive search, business advisory, board placement and training and will help build c-level relationships and facilitate its event programme.

He is the latest high profile appointment for the firm, which was established by managing partner and retail recruitment veteran Richard Hollister last year.

Former LK Bennett and BHS CEO Darren Topp was appointed chairman last year and Sarah Curran, formerly managing director of Very Exclusive and founder of My-wardrobe.com, has joined to lead its Retail Executives Advisory Network (REAN).

Hyman started his career as a researcher at the Financial Times in the 1970s. He went on to work first as an analyst then as a director of Mintel, the global market research and market insight provider.

In 1984, he left to launch his own business, Verdict, created to focus on delivering a new breed of insight and analysis of the retail sector, and sold it to Datamonitor in 2005. He later went on to be strategic advisor to Deloitte and most recently set up his consultancy business, Richardtalksretail, in 2015 providing access to this insight and opinion.

Hollister said of his appointment: “Richard Hyman brings an unrivalled depth of knowledge and an abundance of relationships to our firm. His ability to give detailed insight into all things retail will also be of huge benefit to our firm and clients. I have known Richard for many years and we have collaborated often, so it’s a huge pleasure to be working with him again.”

Topp added: “Richard Hyman is another key appointment and moves us closer towards our goal of building a world class recruitment and advisory business. Like many CEOs, I have used Richard’s insight into the world of retail to help build and articulate a successful strategic plan – he will be an invaluable member of the team.”