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At a rocky time for multi-brand luxury retail, British department store Harvey Nichols is hoping to strengthen its position with the appointment of new CEO Julia Goddard.
Goddard will join in June from Alexander McQueen, where she has worked for 14 years, latterly as president of the EMEA region. In this role, which she has held since 2019, she has led the luxury British brand’s wholesale and retail expansion in the region, including the opening of new flagships in London, Paris, Milan, Rome, Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar. Prior to that, she was worldwide wholesale, franchise and e-concession director.
Harvey Nichols has been searching for a new CEO since Manju Malhotra exited the business last August after more than 25 years. At the time, the company denied media reports of a dispute between Malhotra and Harvey Nichols owner and chairman Dickson Poon over its strategic direction, saying it was an “amicable decision”.
Poon’s son, Pearson Poon, has been leading the retailer in the interim.
Harvey Nichols faces stiff competition, including from fellow British luxury department store Harrods — which has invested £200 million in overhauling its in-store experience — as well as from luxury brands themselves as they grow their direct-to-consumer channels.
On Goddard’s appointment, the Poons said in a statement: “Julia is a dynamic business leader with a strong track record of delivering quality growth and successfully developing and executing a very important customer (VIC) clienteling strategy. Her expertise and strategic capabilities will be invaluable in delivering long-term sustainable growth for Harvey Nichols.”
Goddard will sit on the management board of Harvey Nichols and report to the Poons.
Founded in 1831, today Harvey Nichols has stores in London, Leeds, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Hong Kong, Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait and Doha, plus a dedicated beauty store in Liverpool.
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