Alpha management gears up for change

Gavin Lipsith

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A new appointment and management reshuffle as retailer prepares to launch new retail brands

Alpha Retail has announced a senior management appointment and a reshuffle of existing executives as it prepares to unveil its much-heralded new retail brand at Manchester airport next summer.

Nigel Lawmon has been appointed buying and merchandising director. He joins Alpha from UK department store Debenhams, where he spent nine years and was most recently head of health and beauty merchandising. Lawmon will take responsibility for the UK and Ireland buying strategy across all of Alpha Retail’s fascias, including tax- and duty-free, World News and destination concept Glorious Britain.

Joanna Evans, now head of category for beauty and luxury brands, has been seconded to the newly-created role of new retail concept project director. Evans will oversee the implementation of Alpha’s new concept for tax- and duty-free retailing.

Martin Petchey, at present international director, has been seconded to a new project to develop Alpha’s buying and retail strategy on a global basis within Alpha’s new owner Autogrill.
 

Alpha Airports Group CEO Peter Williams said: "These new appointments demonstrate our commitment to providing a world-leading airport shopping offer that not only responds to travellers' changing needs but also enriches their shopping experience.  I am delighted to have this team on board and they will undoubtedly play a vital role in the development of our retail offer including the opening of our largest tax- and duty-free store to date, under a new brand, at Manchester airport in March 2008.”