Another director leaves House of Fraser following Chinese acquisition

House of Fraser is losing another member of its senior team, months into the department store's ownership transition.

 

Chief financial officer Mark Gifford is leaving the company in September after eight years in the role, and 13 years at the company all told. 

 

Colin Elliot, a chartered accountant who has most recently worked as group finance director of the hotels business De Vere Group, will replace him. Elliot will join on May 1 and work alongside Gifford “to ensure a smooth transition”. 

 

Elliot will join the board and report into Nigel Oddy, who became chief executive in February, when John King stepped down.

 

King, who had also been at the helm of the business for eight years, followed chairman Don McCarthy, who exited as House of Fraser was sold off to Chinese conglomerate Nanjing Xinjiekou last autumn.

 

Oddy said: “I would like to personally welcome [Elliot] to the team. He brings a wealth of experience to the business as we continue our growth and expansion both in the UK and internationally.

 

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for his significant contribution to House of Fraser over the last 13 years.”

 

Gifford said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as CFO for House of Fraser. I have had the honour of working with a very talented team of people and I have every confidence that House of Fraser will continue its successes in the years to come.”