Matalan’s CEO Jo Whitfield has resigned after 18 transformative months.
- Whitfield’s departure is part of a strategic career shift for a ‘portfolio career’.
- Significant progress was made at Matalan under Whitfield’s leadership.
- Matalan’s chair, Karl-Heinz Holland, will interim as executive chair.
- A search for Whitfield’s replacement is already underway.
Jo Whitfield, the Chief Executive Officer of Matalan, has stepped down from her role after an impactful 18-month tenure. Her resignation marks a strategic move towards pursuing a ‘portfolio career’. This decision coincides with a similar leadership change at the John Lewis Partnership, where the group CEO, Nish Kankiwala, is transitioning to a non-executive role.
During her time as CEO, Whitfield played a pivotal role in revitalising Matalan. The company noted “significant progress” under her leadership, notably in reshaping the executive team and reinforcing the brand’s core value propositions. Whitfield’s strategic initiatives helped to reset the business foundations amid challenging conditions, improving profitability and solidifying its market standing.
Whitfield’s previous experience as the head of finance for Matalan from 2002 to 2008 provided her with a solid foundation to guide the company through its recent transformation. Her efforts were acknowledged by Karl-Heinz Holland, the Matalan chair, who will temporarily serve as executive chair while the search for a new CEO is conducted.
Whitfield expressed satisfaction with the advancements made during her tenure, highlighting enhancements in product offerings and overall business strategy. She stated, “It has been a fast-paced transformational 18 months and I am proud of everything that the Matalan teams and I have achieved.” Her focus on aligning Matalan as a customer-centric organisation was further stressed in her parting remarks.
The board, led by Holland, is confident in the strategic road map laid out and the company’s robust financial and operational position. As the recruitment process for a new CEO begins, Matalan continues to uphold its commitment to delivering value and quality to customers.
Jo Whitfield’s departure from Matalan marks the end of a notable transformative phase for the company.
