New Look appoints new chief executive

Budget fashion chain New Look has announced the appointment of Anders Kristiansen as its chief executive, after a year long search for a new boss. Kristiansen was vice chief executive of Bestseller Fashion Group China, the largest fashion retailer in China,

which operates brands including Vero Moda and Jack & Jones. He takes up his new role with New Look on January 7, 2013.

Commenting on the appointment, New Look Chairman Alistair McGeorge said: "I am delighted that Anders is to be New Look’s next Chief Executive. He brings with him significant multinational retail experience and we very much look forward to welcoming him and working together."

Kristiansen added: "New Look is a great brand and I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to lead the company forward at this exciting stage.
“The challenge for the next few years is to build upon the solid foundations that have been laid by Alistair McGeorge and Tom Singh.”

Prior to working at Bestseller, Kristiansen was president of China and SVP Staples, and before that he was at Lyreco, an office supplies company where he was managing director for Asia Pacific and formerly managing director of Europe.

New Look is currently the number two value retailer for women’s clothing and accessories market in the UK and the number one value retailer for the under 35s women’s clothing and accessories market, including footwear.

Last month the retailer announced that its EBITDA rose by 25 percent in the first half of its financial year as the high street chain reported it had made “significant progress” with its recovery plan.