Accessorize gets new MD as Very's Alexander joins

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Feb 1, 2022

Monsoon Accessorize has appointed Emma Alexander managing director for its Accessorize brand. Joining in March, she replaces Kathleen Mitchell, who left the retailer last year to join John Lewis as the department store’s trading director.

Alexander leaves the Very Group after four years where she led the Littlewoods, Very and Very Exclusive brands as fashion director. She became a casualty of a Very Group management consolidation that saw the creation of a new two-tier retail operations division, simplifying its four-division structure.

Before Very Group, she was chief product officer for Jack Wills, with responsibility for all categories globally, covering buying, design and sourcing. Her career has also included head of buying at both Marks & Spencer and Jaeger.

After a tough pandemic, Monsoon Accessorize is looking to further improve with Alexander’s appointment. Last year, the business was taken out of administration by its owner, Peter Simon, via a pre-pack deal, which saw it close 35 stores across the UK.

At the time, Simon said: “Monsoon and Accessorize will continue to have a strong presence on the high street.”