Fashion cataloguer/etailer Joe Browns has appointed a new
managing director to achieve its next stage of growth and further
develop the business. Michael Bates joins the business from
Morrisons, where he spent 17 years in commercial roles, including
seven years as marketing director and most recently 18 months as
category buying director. Simon Brown, founder of Joe Browns,
will move into the new position of brand director. Michael Bates’
appointment follows the hiring of a new marketing director,
Tracey Hepton, who joined the business in May from a Leeds-based
marketing agency.
The appointment of a new managing director marks the first time
Joe Browns has made an external appointment for the role. Founder
Simon Brown explains, “Joe Browns has enjoyed an unbroken
period of sales and profit growth, designing, sourcing and
selling a unique range of women’s and men’s fashions. Michael
brings a wealth of consumer and commercial retail experience
which will be invaluable in enabling us to propel the business
forward. Michael’s appointment means that I can focus on
developing the lifestyle brand that is Joe Browns and spend more
time developing our stand out, exclusive product”.
As well as the creative direction of the brand, Brown also
retains responsibilities for key wholesale accounts, including
Simply Be and Jacamo owner N Brown and Littlewoods’ parent Shop
Direct Group.
Joe Browns is a fast-growing, profitable and debt-free business,
which in its last audited accounts posted sales of £21.6
million. In the next two to three years, founder Simon Brown says
he’s looking to double the business.
Commenting on his appointment, Michael Bates says, “Joe Browns is
a great business and a fantastic brand. I’m really excited to be
joining such a vibrant company at such an exciting time in its
growth and relish the prospect of exploring and shaping the
future multichannel strategy and really getting my teeth stuck
into the challenge”. He starts on Monday, 1st October.
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