Morley Department Stores Limited has appointed Melanie Smallwood to the newly created role of Chief Trading Officer, with responsibility for the group’s buying and merchandising operations.
Smallwood will join the business in April and report to chief executive Ray Clacher, as part of changes to the retailer’s senior leadership team.
Senior Retail Experience
Smallwood brings more than 30 years’ experience in retail, having held senior positions across department store and fashion businesses. Her previous roles include P&L responsibility for womenswear and kidswear at Harrods and Global Buying Director at Harvey Nichols.
Most recently, she served as Chief Commercial and Brand Partnerships Officer at Global Fashion Group, where she oversaw trading and commercial strategy across 12 international markets.
In her new role at Morleys, Smallwood will take responsibility for the group’s buying and merchandising functions, reporting to the CEO and board.
Leadership Restructuring
The appointment follows recent changes to Morleys’ executive team, including the arrival of Ray Clacher as CEO in January and Judd Wilson as Chief Financial Officer in October.
Bernard Dreesmann, chairman of Morley Department Stores Limited, said: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Melanie Smallwood to the group. We are extremely flattered that Melanie has agreed to join us at this critical time for the business. Our new management team, together with a multi-million pound investment into our latest new store, Jolly’s of Bath, opening later this year, signifies our commitment to strengthening the independent department store sector. Melanie’s extensive department store career will prove invaluable to us.”
Clacher said: “Many of us in premium/luxury retail know Melanie well. I could not be happier that we managed to convince Melanie to join us on this exciting journey for this group, which will proudly be 100 years old in 2027. I look forward to working with Melanie and all the senior team to show that the community department is still a vital mainstay of the British high street.”
