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Signet Names New President, Announces Other Exec Changes

Published

9 years ago

February 2, 2017

INSTORE Staff

He’ll also be chief customer officer.

Signet Jewelers Ltd. (NYSE: SIG) has named Sebastian Hobbs as its new president and announced other organizational changes.

Hobbs, who has been serving as UK managing director, will also serve as chief customer officer.

“We continue to align our organization and priorities with our Vision 2020 strategy and the changing retail environment, characterized by evolving shopping habits and increasing customer expectations for an outstanding digital experience,” CEO Mark Light said. “We are investing and directing more resources to improve the overall customer omni-channel journey, re-emphasizing our commitment to the customer experience and enhancing our analytics function to ensure we are offering products and services that appeal to today’s and tomorrow’s customers.”

Hobbs will have global responsibility for leading store operations, merchandising and marketing. His experience includes nearly six years at Signet, along with retail general management and commercial executive experience.

Signet also announced that Emma Hayward will be promoted to executive director of the UK division, reporting to Hobbs, who will continue to oversee UK operations in his new role. Currently UK store operations director, Hayward has more than 20 years of experience in increasing retail leadership responsibilities, including 12 years in management roles leading store operations at Signet.

In other moves:

Bryan Morgan, executive vice president, supply chain management and repair, has been promoted to Signet’s new chief operations officer.
George Murray, chief merchandising and marketing officer, has been named to the new role of chief retail insights and strategy officer.
Brian A. Tilzer, currently chief digital officer at CVS Health, has been appointed to the Signet board of directors.
Ed Hrabak, Signet chief operations officer, is retiring.
Tryna Kochanek, executive vice president, North American store operations, is retiring.

Signet operates about 3,600 stores primarily under the name brands of Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples and Piercing Pagoda.

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