River Island, a prominent fashion retailer, has embraced the trend of co-company chiefs, following in the footsteps of companies like Zalando. In a significant leadership change, River Island has appointed Jane Eskriett and Richard Grainger as its new Co-Managing Directors.
Jane Eskriett joins River Island with extensive experience from her role at Boohoo Group, where she oversaw a portfolio of brands, including Karen Millen, Coast, Oasis, and Warehouse, starting in May 2021. Richard Grainger, on the other hand, has served as the Managing Director of Next’s Europe and North Africa Sourcing operations since 2019 and has a background in global buying and merchandising, including a previous role at Karen Millen.
These appointments come on the heels of the departure of River Island’s former CEO, Will Kernan, in late 2022. Kernan has since assumed a non-executive position on the board of the John Lewis Partnership.
In addition to these leadership changes, River Island has welcomed Kirsty Homer as its new Chief People Officer. Kirsty brings her experience from Howdens, a supplier of kitchens, and her role as Global People & Governance Director at Mothercare.
These strategic moves underscore River Island’s commitment to navigating the evolving fashion retail landscape and reinforcing its position as a leading player in the industry.
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