Helen Connolly joins New Look in commercial role as veteran product chief quits

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jan 9, 2020

Value fashion retailer New Look said on Thursday that Roger Wightman is leaving his post of Chief Product Officer after 30 years and will be replaced by Helen Connolly. She takes over as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer next week.

Connolly has a varied CV that’s been concentrated on the affordable fashion sector and was most recently CEO of Bonmarché. While there, she faced a tidal wave of problems linked to the tough times in UK retail that resulted in that company’s administration filing.

Prior to this she was Director of Buying, Womenswear and Lingerie for George at Asda, and Head of Buying at Arcadia’s Dorothy Perkins.

In those roles, she’s certainly seen the downside of trying to sell cost-conscious consumers more and more fashion through physical shops as much as its upside. And she’s joining a company that has had it own troubles in recent years.

But New Look CEO Nigel Oddy, hailed her “wealth of ‘affordable fashion’ expertise, and 20 years’ experience in buying, design and sourcing, which will help us to continue to strengthen the broad appeal of our product and build on our distinctive offer”.

He also thanked Wightman “for his exceptional contribution to New Look over 30 years”. Wightman himself said he’s stepping down “to pursue other interests”.