House of Fraser’s marketing and customer boss quits just weeks after restructure
House of Fraser’s chief customer officer Andy Harding has quit the high street giant just weeks after orchestrating an overhaul of the newly named ‘customer team’.
Harding has spent the last five years with the retailer, one of which was spent in the CCO role where he took on responsibility for customer strategy across brand, marketing, digital and multichannel sales in the UK and internationally.
However, the retailer confirmed his departure today (18 April), saying that Alison Lancaster, an "interim specialist", will take over the customer directorate while it hunts for a replacement.
Most recently, Harding was behind the creation of House of Fraser’s first dedicated ‘customer team’ which saw him make two new appointments in February, including a director of digital product and a newly-created director of customer insight.
At the time he said both would be key members of the growing customer team.
House of Fraser said of him imminent departure: “As we continue to grow House of Fraser in the UK and internationally, it is important to restructure our business so that it is fit for the future. Inevitably, this means staff leave along the way.
"However, our ability to attract such a high calibre of talent, as highlighted by our recent senior appointments, is a real testament to the strength of our business and future ambitions. The experience they are bringing to House of Fraser will be incredibly valuable to our ongoing development.”
It is understood that House of Fraser has a shortlist of candidates to replace him and hopes to be in a position to make a formal announcement on his replacement soon.