Primark, a leading high street fashion retailer, has appointed Nigel Jones as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).
- Jones brings a wealth of international retail experience from his previous roles at Tesco and Whitbread.
- He will oversee Primark’s technology, supply chain, logistics, and business transformation.
- CEO Paul Marchant expressed enthusiasm about Jones’s appointment and his global expertise.
- The appointment is set to support Primark’s expansion across 17 markets.
Primark, a prominent name in high street fashion, has announced the appointment of Nigel Jones as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Jones, who transitions from a significant leadership role at Whitbread, is expected to leverage his extensive experience to enhance Primark’s operational capabilities. His tenure at Tesco, spanning over 25 years, saw him occupying pivotal roles including retail director and UK commercial director for general merchandise and clothing, which has equipped him with invaluable insights into large-scale retail operations.
Jones’s career trajectory has been marked by a series of progressive responsibilities, notably his contribution to Tesco’s expansion into new markets such as Poland and Hungary in the 1990s. His innovative development of the ‘Tesco Extra’ hypermarket format underscores his ability to drive business growth through strategic foresight. His latest role at Whitbread involved overseeing group operations and transformation, further honing his skills in managing expansive organisational changes.
Jones’s new responsibilities at Primark include overseeing the company’s technology function, supply chain, and logistics, as well as spearheading business transformation efforts. Primark CEO Paul Marchant highlighted Jones’s global expertise, stating: “With Primark now established in 17 markets, we stand to gain significantly from Nigel’s global expertise across the key areas of transformation, technology, supply chain and logistics.” Marchant’s own journey in Primark, from COO to CEO, underscores the strategic importance of leadership roles within the company.
Nigel Jones expressed his excitement about joining Primark, noting the company’s ongoing growth and industry influence. “I’ve always been struck by the continual growth of Primark and the influence it holds as a leader in the industry,” Jones remarked. He looks forward to steering a dynamic team towards achieving the company’s growth ambitions.
This strategic appointment marks a significant step for Primark as it continues to strengthen its position in the competitive retail sector. The company anticipates that Jones’s proven track record in managing and expanding multinational operations will be instrumental in its future growth initiatives.
Nigel Jones’s appointment as COO is poised to enhance Primark’s operational infrastructure, supporting its expansive growth vision.