Newcastle's Fenwick hunts for new CEO as executive appointed decides not to take top job

North East department store chain Fenwick is searching for a new CEO after the executive appointed to the role told them he is no longer joining the firm.

The company, which has its registered address and flagship store in Newcastle city centre, announced a major management restructure in the summer, unveiling Nigel Blow as the new chief executive of the 142-year-old retailer.

Mr Blow, who has been CEO at southern department store chain Morleys for five years, had previously worked at Harrods for 14 years. He had been due to start work at Fenwick this month, taking over from John Edgar who has left the business after four and a half years at the helm. He has now informed the company he will no longer be taking up the position.

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A spokeswoman for Fenwick said: “In July 2024, we announced that we would be appointing Nigel Blow as CEO of Fenwick. Nigel Blow has informed us that he will no longer be taking up this position.”

The luxury retailer is the UK’s largest family-owned group of department stores in the UK and the last two years has seen strong investment across the business, following its decision to sell off the Bond Street store in London in a £430m deal. Former CEO Mr Edgar was appointed during the pandemic, at the start of the first national lockdown in April 2020, and he steered the business through a number of changes, helping the chain differentiate itself from rivals.

Changes have included the launch of a new ecommerce website, new luxury brands and investment in Newcastle to create two new atria in the building, a new Mother Mercy cocktail bar, new classic tea room Fred’s in the lower ground floor and the continuing renovation of the beauty hall. Investments have also been made to the store frontage, though the company has reassured customers on Tyneside that its traditional Christmas window display will go ahead as usual.