Ted Baker Design Group, managed by PDS Group, is planning considerable job cuts, threatening around a third of its workforce.
- Approximately 30 roles are expected to be affected at the Cleveland Street headquarters in London.
- These layoffs are a response to decreased demand in product design and sourcing, separate from earlier administrative actions.
- The restructuring aims to adjust the operational needs of the company, following its establishment in April 2023.
- PDS and Authentic Brands Group, the controlling entities, have declined to comment on the situation.
The Ted Baker Design Group, under the management of PDS Group, is preparing to downsize its team by about a third, impacting around 30 positions. This decision comes as part of a series of strategic changes aimed at aligning the group’s operations with current demands.
The affected jobs are based at Ted Baker’s headquarters on Cleveland Street, London, marking a significant reduction in the workforce in this location. This move is understood to be a direct consequence of diminished workload in the areas of product design and sourcing, rather than being connected to the brand’s earlier entry into administration.
Ted Baker was put into administration in March, leading to the closure of all its UK stores, concessions, and website. However, the current job cuts are not related to those earlier financial troubles. Instead, they reflect a strategic initiative by the PDS Group to streamline operations amidst a changing business environment.
PDS Group took over the establishment of the Ted Baker Design Group in April 2023, positioning it as the global hub for design and innovation for the brand. At that time, Authentic Brands Group, which owns Ted Baker, asserted that PDS would serve as a ‘core licensee and operating partner.’
In addition to these internal adjustments, Authentic Brands Group recently introduced new licensing partners in the US and Canada, expanding Ted Baker’s brand reach internationally. This shift, however, does not appear to influence the job cuts at the London headquarters. Both Authentic Brands Group and PDS Group have refrained from commenting on these developments.
The restructuring at Ted Baker Design Group highlights the need for adaptive strategies in a shifting market landscape.
