Expanding ​Secret Sales names ‘dream team’ of six new star execs

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Sep 14, 2021

Premium e-commerce marketplace Secret Sales has hired six “star” senior execs with impressive track records at some of fashion’s biggest names. They’re filling new positions within its leadership team as the company expands both domestic and international operations while launching into new territories this autumn.

The “accomplished retail names” will help the business realise its ambition “to become the largest non-full-price marketplace for fashion and beauty worldwide”, Secret Sales said. 

Shahnila Rashid joins as chief trading officer. “A respected retail leader with a significant track record in scaling businesses”, she previously spent nine years at TJX as VP and merchandising director, where she was “fundamental” in expanding TK Maxx across Europe, launching the brand’s website and introducing the Homesense brand. 

Most recently, Rashid was CEO of retail and e-commerce at SR Retail Consultancy, where she helped start-ups to large multichannel retailers implement transformational change programmes.

Department store “digital pioneer” Fiona Lay has been appointed as digital director. Formerly digital and trading director at Debenhams, she spent 17 years at the department store where she oversaw its transition and growth into online shopping. Prior to Debenhams, Lay worked as senior merchandiser at Marks & Spencer.  

Meanwhile, Sarah Savva has been appointed external relationships director. She was previously business lead for third-party brands at M&S, where she focused on building the retailer’s new strategy of introducing third-party fashion brands online. Before this, Savva spent 29 years at Debenhams.

Retail expert Cathy Reid will also be joining the company as customer excellence director in October. Reid joins from Mountain Warehouse where she was head of customer experience. She has also been customer director at Ann Summers and head of retail and store operations at Mamas & Papas.

Lucy Malcolm Green also joins as head of digital merchandising. Most recently, she was team leader for digital merchandising at Mytheresa where she was responsible for the luxury fashion retailer’s merchandising strategy across all European and worldwide websites. 

She was also formerly e-commerce trader at Pandora and has also held the roles of online merchandiser for womenswear and shoes at Harrods, and as a retail planning analyst at Ralph Lauren.

Finally, Stacey Sue joins Secret Sales as finance director, having worked at luxury retailer Lulu Guinness in the same role and with Matchesfashion as financial controller. 

“We have appointed a super group of retail stars whose collective experience has helped shape the industry, from the early years of digital transformation to today’s online-first world,” said Chris Griffin, CEO of Secret Sales. 

“Our new hires recognise how powerful our business model is - brands and retailers need a brand enhancing partnership route for non full price stock, and Secret Sales is revolutionising the fashion industry by providing this platform. The calibre of our team will enable us to fulfil our promise to grow and become the dominant player in the premium discount space.”

Alongside the new senior management team, Secret Sales has recruited 20 additional staff members to support all departments across the business which is set to launch in new territories this autumn.