Myer selects former House of Fraser chief as new CEO

Embattled Australian department store giant gets new CEO and managing director

Gary Hounsell (left) and John King
Gary Hounsell (left) and John King

Myer has recruited UK retail industry veteran, John King, as its new CEO and managing director following an international executive search.

The embattled ASX-listed department store announced the appointment today, outlining King’s experience leading the successful transformation of UK department store giant, House of Fraser, from 2006 until its sale to Chinese conglomerate, Sanpower, in 2014, as a key reason for his appointment. The deal was worth £480 million.

“Over the course of his tenure at the House of Fraser, John and his team consistently grew revenues, differentiated the product offering and launched a successful online business, improved EBITDA and reduced the company’s debt,” Myer executive chairman, Garry Hounsell, said in a statement.

“They also refurbished more than 70 per cent of the property portfolio and implemented a vision, values and culture program. John understands fashion retailing and customers, particularly at department stores. He is an excellent candidate to lead Myer and I look forward to working with him to unlock the company’s significant potential and deliver shareholder value.”

King’s appointment comes two months after former CEO and managing director, Richard Umbers, stepped down from the role just days after issuing a half-year finances warning and decision not to name a net profit guidance figure to the stock exchange.

Umbers’ departure also came just three months after Hounsell took up the chairman’s position and immediately began expressing his frustration at the state of the company’s performance and turnaround.

King has more than 30 years in the retail trade, working across merchandising, store operations, ecommerce, sourcing and supply chain. Since leaving House of Fraser, he’s been in the US, consulting to a number of US-based retailers and working with several startups.

“I’m excited to lead this iconic Australian company. Which like all global retailers, is facing significant change in both the retail environment and consumer shopping habit,” King said. “I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of this role.”

Myer kicked off its $600 million ‘New Myer’ strategy more than two years ago, a transformation agenda aimed at improving its customer focus, experiential offerings, omni-channel shopping capabilities and lifting productivity across the group.

Follow CMO on Twitter: @CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn: CMO ANZ, join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMOAustralia, or check us out on Google+:google.com/+CmoAu     

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