Jigsaw reshuffles leadership team as festive sales rise

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jan 15, 2019

Premium fashion brand Jigsaw is starting 2019 with several changes at board level, announcing a new interim CEO and the departure of its chairman.

It comes less than a year since the departure of Peter Ruis, who stepped down from his role as chief executive of Jigsaw in March 2018 leaving the company in uncertainty.

Chris Stephenson, who was appointed interim CEO in July following Ruis’ departure, will transition to a non-executive role this Friday, the clothing retailer said.

He will be replaced by group HR director Toby Foreman as interim CEO.

Meanwhile, Charles Atterton is retiring as chairman after over 20 years at the company.

Jigsaw, which trades from about 80 standalone stores, secured a new investor in March last year when David Ross, one of the founder of Carphone Warehouse, bought a stake in the womenswear business for £20m.

The deal was aimed at safeguarding the brand’s its future amid extreme turbulence on Britain’s high streets.

However, over the festive period, Jigsaw saw its UK like-for-like sales rise 6.3% when compared with the previous year. Both own stores and online performed well in the 10 weeks to 22 December, up 6% and 17% respectively, supported by a strong product offer and investments in the omnichannel proposition.