New Look tech chief to leave at end of month

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Mar 30, 2023

There’s been a lot of change at New Look lately with the company confirming a week ago that it would make job cuts at its HQ. And now it seems the firm’s technology chief is departing imminently, although he actually quit back in January.

Ed Alford, the fashion retailer’s Chief Technology Officer will step down this week after having worked out his notice.

He took up the job just under two years ago when the role was first created by the firm. Since then he’s been leading its omnichannel strategy, among other tech functions. 

His previous experience had been with major name companies such as oil giant BP.

The company is believed not to be replacing Alford and that engineering director Ian Mahoney’s role will be expanded to take in technology, with the executive getting a new title of technology and engineering director.

He’s a relative newcomer to the business having joined just over year ago from Selfridges.

This month, when the company said it was reducing head office roles, it explained that it “has changed significantly in recent years, having accelerated our e-commerce business and reduced our store estate. As such, we have reviewed our operating model and structures, and we are making certain changes to our ways of working, to better reflect and support the growth of our omnichannel business. As part of this, we are proposing changes to our team structures”.
 
Last summer the retailer named a new CEO with Helen Connolly taking the helm after having been Chief Commercial Officer since 2020.