ASOS CEO is out, search starts for replacment

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Oct 11, 2021

ASOS may have announced its annual results on Monday, but the big news was that its long-time CEO Nick Beighton is stepping down with immediate effect. The online retail giant said that new leadership would “underpin delivery of the next phase of its global growth strategy”.

In a stock exchange statement, it said “Nick Beighton and the board have agreed that now is the right time for him to step down after 12 years with the business, including six as CEO”.

What’s particularly interesting is that this is happening with no successor currently in place. A sudden departure of the senior executive like this is usually what would be expected from a company that was ailing.

But the firm’s results on Monday showed it’s far from in that position. In fact, the latest results showed “good growth in customer numbers, sales and profits, driven by exceptional sales growth of 36% in the UK”. But as it also announced an aim to double the size of the combined US and Europe businesses, it clearly believes it needs someone new to drive this forward.

ASOS said: “A search is commencing for a successor. Mat Dunn, currently Chief Financial Officer, will take on the additional role of Chief Operating Officer and lead the business on a day-to-day basis, while Katy Mecklenburgh, currently Director of Group Finance, will become Interim Chief Financial Officer. These changes will take place with immediate effect. Nick Beighton will remain available to the board until the end of 2021 to ensure a smooth handover.”

It added that Ian Dyson will become Non-Executive Chair of the board to replace Adam Crozier, whose decision to step down was previously announced. Dyson is currently ASOS's senior independent non-executive director. He’ll take up his new role on 29 November for a three-year term.

And there were more board changes. Jørgen Lindemann is joining the firm as a non-executive director, “bringing deep experience of leading digital-first businesses”. Lindemann is currently Chair of Miinto, the Danish online fashion marketplace. He was formerly President and CEO of Modern Times Group (MTG), the Swedish digital entertainments business and recently stood down from the board of Zalando following a five-year stint as a non-executive director.