Senior executives depart from Debenhams

Three senior executives have departed from Debenhams, following the recent appointment of new CEO Stefaan Vansteenkiste.

Marketing, beauty and digital managing director Richard Cristofoli is the most senior departure of the three and he leaves the department store after nine years of service.

Also leaving Debenhams are stores, operations and food managing director Mark Ashman and transformation and people director Sally Hyndman, who have been with the retailer for six months and two and a half years respectively.

According to a report in Retail Week the beauty team will now report into managing director Steven Cook, who adds the category to his fashion and home remit.

Debenhams international director Jess Shepherd is believe to be assuming responsibility for digital.

The shake-up comes just weeks after Vansteenkiste, formerly of restructuring experts Alvarez & Marsal, was appointed as CEO. Vansteenkiste had been working at the company as chief restructuring officer since April, when the group was put into administration and fell into the hands of its lenders. Upon his appointment as CEO, executive chairman, Terry Duddy stood down.

Vansteenkiste's Alvarez & Marsal colleague Erin Brookes, who is on secondment at the department store, has been appointed as chief restructuring officer and interim marketing director.