Nigel Blow expresses his shock over Fenwick’s decision to withdraw their CEO position offer just weeks before he was due to start.
- In July, it was widely reported that Nigel Blow, former Morleys Stores CEO, was to become Fenwick’s new CEO.
- Fenwick officially announced Blow’s appointment on July 30, yet retracted the offer in early October without public explanation.
- Blow had already engaged extensively with Fenwick executives and shareholders in preparation for his new role.
- He resigned from Morleys Group, where he had a fruitful tenure, for the promising opportunity at Fenwick.
Nigel Blow, renowned for his leadership role at Morleys Stores and as a former Harrods executive, has spoken out about Fenwick’s unexpected cancellation of his CEO appointment. The decision was made just two weeks before he was slated to commence the position, originally announced in July. The retail sector had anticipated his leadership at Fenwick, a staple in the UK as its largest family-owned department store group. However, as October unfolded, a spokesperson released a statement indicating that Blow informed Fenwick he would not be taking on the role, a drastic shift from the earlier announcement.
The abrupt withdrawal came after extensive preparations by Blow to assume his responsibilities at Fenwick, including meetings with numerous executive members and shareholders. Blow conveyed his readiness to tackle the significant challenge of steering Fenwick back to profitability following a series of financially challenging years for the company, which have been marked by loss-making results.
In a statement addressing the media, Blow shared his disappointment, highlighting his shock at the offer’s withdrawal after a public and well-documented announcement of his appointment. He noted the timing, occurring mere days before his intended start on October 17, as particularly surprising given his diligent preparatory efforts.
Amidst these developments, Blow addressed unfounded speculations connecting him to recent allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed, under whom he previously served at Harrods. Blow distanced himself from any inappropriate conduct, asserting his unawareness of the misconduct during his tenure.
Blow was previously the CEO at Morleys Group, a highly regarded department store operator in the UK. His resignation from Morleys was effective as of July, following an eight-year career characterized by stability and growth, with the strategic move to join Fenwick seen as a natural step in his career advancement. This decision was made with the full support of Morleys’ board, acknowledging the unique opportunity Fenwick presented.
The unexpected withdrawal of Nigel Blow’s appointment as Fenwick’s CEO marks a notable upheaval in his anticipated career move.
