Matalan strengthens its leadership team with key appointments.
- James Dorling joins as the new property director from Gymshark.
- Keith Down is appointed as non-executive director and audit chair.
- Dorling to oversee over 220 UK stores and strategic transformations.
- Down brings extensive financial leadership experience to Matalan.
Matalan has taken a strategic step to enhance its leadership team. The appointment of James Dorling as the new property director and Keith Down as a non-executive director marks a significant move for the retailer.
James Dorling brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including his recent position as head of real estate at Gymshark, and as a former director of property, procurement, and transformation at Wilko. His responsibility at Matalan involves overseeing the network of more than 220 stores across the UK, contributing to the company’s broader transformation strategy. This follows the departure of Antony Darbyshire, the former property director, who left in August.
Keith Down’s appointment as a non-executive director and chair of the audit committee comes after the resignation of Paul Copley. Down’s extensive experience includes his role as finance director at Selfridges Group, CFO at Dunelm, and finance director at Go-Ahead Group. In his new role at Matalan, he will continue to serve on the boards of Tortilla and Topps Tiles, bringing valuable expertise to aid Matalan’s strategic execution.
Executive chair Karl-Heinz Holland expressed enthusiasm regarding the new appointments, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome James and Keith to the business, who both join with relevant expertise that will prove highly valuable as we continue to execute our strategic plan.” These appointments come following the departure of CEO Jo Whitfield, who left to pursue a portfolio career, with a search for her permanent replacement underway.
Matalan’s strategic leadership appointments aim to fortify its transformation and growth plans.
