JoJo Maman Bébé hires former Jaeger director

Independent maternity and childrenswear retailer JoJo Maman Bébé, favoured by the Duchess of Cambridge, has hired former Jaeger trading director Gwynn Milligan as its new commercial director.

Milligan, who has worked at a number of high street brands including JD Sports, Reiss and Arcadia, has been brought on to help drive the business forward at what the retailer is stating is a “pivotal stage in its development” as it looks to move from a small to a large company.

Commenting on the appointment, founder and chief executive Laura Tenison said: "I launched JoJo 24 years ago as a sole trader from my flat share in London, keeping our first stock in my parent's shed in Wales. Since then we have grown organically into a global business designing and retailing everything you need from pregnancy to pre-school.

“Gwynn joins the business at a pivotal stage in its development to help ease the pathway from small to large company. Her many years' experience of successfully running the commercial departments of larger companies will be added to this hugely successful brand's predominantly home-grown board of directors.”

JoJo Maman Bébé hires commercial director to drive growth

Milligan added: “It is an honour and a privilege to join JoJo Maman Bébé, a successful growing brand. I am looking forward to working with such a talented team by further supporting their success and growth story."

JoJo Maman Bébé sells maternity and childrenswear clothing, as well as gifts and homeware, and currently has revenues of more than 50 million pounds, however, the retailer is looking to double its sales in the next few years as well as become a more recognisable brand on the high street, according to reports in the Sunday Times.

Founded in 1992, JoJo Maman Bébé is a Certified B Corporation with the remit to pursue a 'triple bottom line’, which aims to put people and the planet above profit. The company turnover has grown at a rate of 46 percent, of which international growth achieved 86 percent, and EBITDA has grown 25 percent over the past 3 years, said the retailer.

The company now has more than 80 stores across the UK, a large distribution centre in Newport and a design and marketing office in Battersea, with 800 staff. In addition, JoJo Maman Bébé runs a wholly owned US trade and business-to-consumer business with a base in Edison, New Jersey.

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Image: Laura Tenison and Gwynn Milligan courtesy of JoJo Maman Bébé