All change at the top for Findel

Multi-channel home shopping company Findel, based in Hyde, Greater Manchester, has appointed Phil Maudsley as its chief executive with immediate effect.

Executive chairman Ian Burke has also become non-executive chairman.

Maudsley was previously managing director of Express Gifts, the Group’s online value retail business.

He has led the development of Express Gifts for more than 20 years, and has been a board director since 2004.

In the five financial years following 2011, Maudsley has been responsible for the transformation of Express Gifts to become a leading online retailer.

This delivered compound average growth in revenues and profits of 8% and 15% respectively and an uplift in active customers of 34% from 2011 to 2016.

Burke said: “Phil is a strong and talented retailer who led the successful repositioning of Express Gifts from traditional catalogue based home shopping company to a leading online retailer. In addition, having served on the board since 2004, Phil’s understanding and insight into the education market positions him well to support the Findel Education team as they continue to deliver on the turnaround.”

Meanwhile, Paul Kendrick succeeds Maudsley as managing director of Express Gifts.

Kendrick joined Findel as deputy managing director, Express Gifts in 2016 having previously held a variety of senior positions at retailers including Bonmarche, N Brown and GUS.

In addition, the board has announced announces that Tim Kowalski has stood down from his role as group finance director. He joined Findel in 2010 and the search for his successor will be underway shortly.

In the interim, Stuart Caldwell (previously group financial controller) will assume the role of acting chief financial officer.

Burke added: “The board is grateful for the contribution Tim has made over the last seven years and wishes him well for the next phase of his career.”