Security consultancy Control Risks, hired by the fashion giant, uncovered evidence of what it described as a “campaign of extensive hostile surveillance” targeting senior executives, including former CEO John Lyttle and co-founder Mahmud Kamani.

According to the Times, the findings follow similar probes by police in Manchester and Kent.

The Met Police confirmed it is investigating reports that a man was followed by unidentified individuals across various locations, including London, between 8 July and 15 August this year.

Police declined to comment on whether or not any individuals or organisations are under investigation.

The alleged incidents are said to involve multiple operatives trailing Boohoo executives on public transport, near their homes, and outside the retailer’s Manchester headquarters. Control Risks reportedly discovered unregistered surveillance equipment outside the office in November, which was handed over to the authorities.

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John Lyttle’s resignation in October after five years as CEO is believed to have been partly influenced by the situation, with reports of two recent trespassers on his property. Kamani has also reportedly been physically assaulted.

A Boohoo spokesman told the outlet: “It would be inappropriate to comment whilst a police investigation is ongoing.”

The allegations come at a turbulent time for Boohoo, as tensions rise with major shareholder Frasers Group, which owns 28% of the business. Frasers has called for Mike Ashley to be installed as CEO and for restructuring expert Mike Lennon to join the board, citing a “leadership crisis” at the retailer.

Frasers CEO Michael Murray said this week: “My thoughts are [that] we can’t comment at this stage.”

Control Risks declined to comment on its involvement in the investigation.

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Now in its 20th year, the scheme helps people who face barriers to employment get their first step on the career ladder and so far has helped 30,000 individuals gain employment. This includes 12,000 young people through the retailer’s partnership with The King’s Trust.

The retailer said four out of five participants who have completed the scheme have gone on to have a career within its business.

The programme equips young people with essential skills they need to navigate their first roles, from CV and interview preparation through to money management. 

M&S CEO Stuart Machin said: “As a young boy of 16 years old, I started my career in retail, working part time on weekends and in the evening doing trolleys, working on the checkout serving customers and replenishing shelves. Work gave me purpose as well as pocket money.

“As one of the UK’s biggest retail employers, it’s our responsibility to help young people into work – especially those furthest from employment who might need extra support. But we can’t do it alone; that’s why we partner with The King’s Trust and Young Minds, brilliant organisations that really understand the help young people need.

“The success of Marks and Start over twenty years shows the difference that partnership can make – together with The King’s Trust we’ve helped 12,000 young people into work and in doing so, changed thousands of lives. Too many young people in the UK face barriers to getting a job, but if we work together, we can change that.”

The King’s Trust chief executive Jonathan Townsend added: “M&S have been a driving force behind our employability initiatives and we are so proud of our long-standing partnership, celebrating 20 years together to support 12,000 young people.

“With their pioneering approach and embedding our work across their organisation, we are able to remove employability barriers for thousands of young people helping to transform their futures.”

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The supermarket chain is hiring for up to 3,000 extra colleagues this year to support its store network, food manufacturing sites and logistics operations nationwide.

Morrisons said it is offering flexible working patterns for the customer assistants, home delivery drivers and manufacturing and warehouse operative roles it is recruiting for, who will also receive a 15% staff discount card.

The grocer’s group people director Clare Grainger said: “As Morrisons gears up for the festive rush, we’re looking for up to 3,000 additional colleagues to join our talented teams.

“We are looking forward to welcoming these new colleagues who will have a key role in creating and delivering products to make our customers celebrations special.

“There are lots of opportunities all across the UK to join us with both temporary and permanent roles in our stores, manufacturing and logistics sites.”

Sainsbury’s kicked off its recruitment drive at the start of the week, searcing for 20,000 extra colleagues across its grocery and Argos business.

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According to the Office for National Statistics, 2.8m people of working age say long-term sickness means they are unable to work, up from 2.2m before the pandemic.

Lord Rose, a former M&S boss and Ocado chair, told The Telegraph: “We must increase productivity. We must tackle these 2.8m people who are economically inactive. We must make sure that we’ve got the benefit system in balance.

“Sure, we’ve got to help those who are the needy ones. But equally, we have to make sure that those who are more able to contribute than they are doing at the moment are encouraged to do so.”

Rose added: “We can’t just become a state now where people just live on handouts. ‘Oh, I’m not feeling very well. Oh, I’ve got a headache. Oh, it’s a bit cold this morning. Oh, I’m feeling a bit tired. Oh, I’m a bit stressed out.’ 

“I’m not being rude. And people will say I’m some toff who’s got a silver spoon in his mouth. Well, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. I was born and lived in a caravan. I’m 75 years old and I’m still working.”

Rose’s comments follows that of business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who earlier this week said: “I am really concerned by the state of the labour market, by the rise of people not working after the pandemic.”

The Asda chair told the newspaper that the worklessness crisis would take “a decade or two” to address.

He said: “We’ve got to start from the beginning, educating our people in the right skills that they need for the future.”

Rose also added that they should be taught that the workplace is “fun” and a place where they can learn new skills.

He added: “The workplace is somewhere where you can earn money and earn self-esteem.”

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Since the business behind the fashion retailer’s UK arm, No Ordinary Designer Label, collapsed in March, 15 shops have closed, however all remaining store staff have been told they will lose their jobs, according to The Sun.

It is understood that despite the message to employees, the plans have not been finalised.

Ted Baker had 46 UK stores and employed about 975 people before its collapse.

Authentic Brands, the US group behind brands including David Beckham, Reebok, and Hunter, owns Ted Baker’s intellectual property and has been hunting for a new partner to run the brand’s retail and online business in the UK and Europe.

Next and Frasers had been in the running but The Sun reports that Frasers has pulled out of talks.

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The chief executive said in a LinkedIn post that the government must do more to understand the importance of the retail sector as current policy “makes being an employer of people and running stores really hard.”

He urged Hunt to revise the current business rates model saying the tax “balance is wrong and stymying growth”.

“Increasing the business rates multiplier by nearly 7% from 1 April – at a time when the Government is looking to tackle inflation, retailers are working hard to offer customers the very best value, and people are struggling with the cost of living – is economically illiterate,” he wrote.

“We need decisive action to reduce the multiplier back to its original level but, at the very least, an adjustment to the current inflationary uplift,” he said.

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Machin also called on Hunt to overhaul the current apprenticeship levy rules, which he claims, “would unlock the opportunity for thousands more to learn as well as earn in the retail sector”.

He said M&S contributes £5.6m to the Levy but is only able to access a third of that “due to overly restrictive requirements and bureaucracy”.

“We have an incredible employability programme at M&S called Marks and Start which has supported almost 12,000 young people into work through work placements and apprenticeships. We fund this entirely by ourselves as the Levy can’t be used for it which is just wrong.”

Machin said the government should “make it easier for employers to use more of the funds” and “expand what the levy can be used for to other skills development and training – especially digital skills”.

The M&S boss also called on the government to reinstate tax-free shopping, noting that the impact was “keenly felt in our capital, London”.

“Everyone knows the sad plight of Oxford Street – once the UK’s premier shopping destination – and we are continuing our fight to invest in a new store at Marble Arch, following last week’s successful Court judgement.

He concluded that “we must do everything we can to restore the street to its former glory and get that lost footfall back”.

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Group director of human resources Sarah Findlater, who is responsible for the hiring and training of M&S’ 64,000 staff, said the current scheme was “too difficult to access, so millions of pounds are going unspent”.

She called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt “to reform the levy and make it more flexible and simpler for employers to access this fund so we can create even more apprenticeships and valuable career development opportunities”.

Findlater told The Times that M&S, which has 200 apprenticeships, would like to undertake more but is being constrained from doing so.

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The scheme, introduced in 2017, requires employers with an annual payroll bill of more than £3m to pay 0.5% of costs into a fund for training, which they can then claim on to meet some of their own apprenticeship costs.

However, retail bosses of chains including Tesco, Superdrug and Co-op have labelled the levy as unworkable.

Superdrug CEO Peter Macnab said that a change in the system would “allow businesses to support and upskill more people and help to secure the countries’ future workforce”.

The health and beauty retailer plans to employ 500 apprentices this year, alongside its sister company Savers.

Chancellor Hunt is also understood to be looking into reversing the decision to scrap tax-free shopping for international visitors.

He has asked the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) to “examine the costs and benefits” of the scheme, which Rishi Sunak decided to end in 2020.

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Thirteen female leaders were hired to the top job of UK retailers in 2022, which equates to 31% of the 42 appointments made, according to management consultancy Korn Ferry.

Retail Gazette looked into the new intake of female CEOs.

Lyssa McGowan, chief executive, Pets at Home

Pets at Home hired Sky chief consumer officer Lyssa McGowan as its new chief executive. She took over from Peter Pritchard in June.

McGowan, who sat on the board of Morrisons until its sale to CD&R in 2021, has broad experience of managing product, service and subscription-led businesses. She also has expertise in data and digital transformation.

In November, after her first six months at the helm, she was “more convinced that Pets at Home is well positioned to capitalise on an attractive growth opportunity in our structurally growing pet care market, supported by our unique blend of products and services, deeply embedded culture and expert, passionate colleagues, and partners”.

McGowan is looking to boost Pets at Home’s focus on the customer.

She has unveiled plans to create a new “consumer function” arm combining the company’s digital, marketing and customer value proposition teams, led by a newly created role of chief consumer officer.

Maddie Smith, managing director, The Body Shop UK and Ireland

Last January, The Body Shop hired Estée Lauder’s US retail boss Maddie Smith to lead its UK operation.

Smith was previously retail vice-president for North America for Estée Lauder, which also owns brands including Clinique, Bobbi Brown and Mac, and she has more than 25 years experience in beauty retail, including positions at L’Occitane, Superdrug owner AS Watson and Boots.

She is currently helping to give The Body Shop a makeover, which involves upgrading and improving its product range and a introducing swathe of new store formats.

Helen Connolly, chief executive, New Look

Back in June, New Look promoted its chief commercial officer of two years Helen Connolly to replace Nigel Oddy as CEO.

Prior to New Look, Connolly was the chief executive of Bonmarché for four years.

She has worked for some of the UK’s largest fashion retailers and was director of buying, womenswear and lingerie for George at Asda and head of buying at Dorothy Perkins.

During her time as CCO, Helen worked on improving both product and efficiencies across New Look’s buying and merchandising, as well as creating and driving partnership and concessions opportunities.

Hannah Gibson, chief executive, Ocado Retail

Ocado hired the chief product officer of its tech division Hannah Gibson to take the helm of its grocery division in September.

Gibson, who replaced Mel Smith, has been at Ocado for a decade and helped set the strategy for its proprietary tech, Ocado Smart Platform.

Prior to this she was senior policy advisor at No10 Downing Street and a business development manager at Waitrose.

Upon her appointment, Marks & Spencer CEO Stuart Machin, who is a joint venture partner in Ocado Retail, said Gibson “combines a clear passion for product and customer, with an exceptional working knowledge of Ocado’s proprietary technology”.

”This experience makes her the ideal candidate to unlock the huge potential that remains in our joint venture and lead our partnership into the next phase of growth.”

Roisin Currie, chief executive, Greggs

Greggs revealed that it would promote retail and property director Roisin Currie to CEO, replacing long-time leader Roger Whiteside.

Currie, who took the helm in May, has been at Greggs since 2010. 

Prior to Greggs, she spent 20 years working at Asda, where she held roles including retail people director and distribution people director.

Currie is also chair of the Employers Forum for Reducing Re-offending.

Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief executive, The Co-op

The Co-op hired Shirine Khoury-Haq, its first female CEO, in August.

She held the role on an interim basis beforehand, taking over permanently from Steve Murrells earlier this year.

Khoury-Haq first joined the group in the summer of 2019 as chief financial officer and has previously been COO at Lloyd’s of London for five years.

She also worked for firms including IBM and McDonalds earlier in her career and was a non-executive director at the Post Office.

Leanne Rothwell, CEO, NotOnTheHighStreet.com

NotOnTheHighStreet.com promoted chief commercial officer Leanne Rothwell to the top job last September, replacing Claire Davenport.

Rothwell has spent 10 years at the gifts retailer, starting as head of account management in 2012.

She helped to grow the marketplace’s army of sellers from 1,000 to 5,000 during her tenure.

Rothwell has made some tough decisions during her few months in the top seat, including cutting some jobs.

Earlier this month, she revealed that “a number of people” will leave the business as it restructures.

Jan Marchant, managing director, clothing and home, Tesco

Tesco promoted its F&F clothing arm chief executive, Jan Marchant, to managing director of home and clothing across the grocer last October.

Marchant, who has led F&F clothing since July 2020, joined the grocer‘s clothing arm as buying director in 2007.

She has risen through ranks, becoming design director in 2014, before taking on the creative and digital director post in 2017.

Sarah Boyd, UK managing director, Sephora

Sephora appointed Sarah Boyd as managing director of its UK business back in December, just two months after the LVMH-owned beauty giant re-entered the UK market with its website launch.

Boyd joined Sephora in 2018 and has held the position of general manager of Southeast Asia and Oceania, as well as vice president, head of markets and new ventures for South East Asia Pacific.

She was based out of Singapore and had responsibility for 16 countries.

However, beauty industry expert Boyd – who had previous worked for L’Oréal and Bourjois – is delighted to be back in the UK.

When she was given her new role, she wrote on LinkedIn: “Back to my home country, and without a doubt one of the most advanced and discerning beauty markets in the world.

“I’m ready to work with the Feelunique team to continue their journey to bring the Sephora magic to the UK.”

She has a busy few months ahead as Sephora is set to open a flagship store at Westfield London this spring.

Sarah Miles, chief executive, Hush

Former Feelunique CEO Sarah Miles was named as boss of womenswear retailer Hush late last year. 

Miles, who took the helm at Hush earlier this month, spent 25 years working in retail, including a five year stint at Amazon.

She led home and garden, and then fashion and private label, at the online giant before joining beauty etailer FeelUnique in 2019, where she helped to oversee its sale to Sephora.

Miles said she had “long admired” Hush “for its outstanding customer connection and truly differentiated product proposition”.

Hush chair Susanne Given said: “Sarah has an outstanding track record across some of the world’s leading consumer businesses and I have no doubt Hush will continue to thrive under her leadership.

“Sarah brings not only vast experience of driving strategic growth across several great retailers but also a broad international perspective and a deep passion for sustainability and purpose-led brands.”

Alison Hands, chief executive, Lincolnshire Co-op

Wilko managing director Alison Hands was hired by Lincolnshire Co-op to replace Ursula Lidbetter as CEO.

Hands, who formally takes over in April this year, has decades of retail experience. 

She had been at Wilko since 2018, working her way up from commercial execution director to trading director and then to MD. She previously worked at M&S, The Body Shop, and Boots.

Hands said: “I’m honoured to be joining this values-driven organisation, which continues to build on its success, whilst delivering its purpose to make life better in communities.

“I’m excited to be charged with leading the society through the next phase of its development, as we collectively tackle the challenges of the current external environment.”

Alison Loehnis, interim chief executive, Yoox Net-a-Porter

Net-a-Porter veteran Alison Loehnis took the helm of the wider Yoox-Net-a-Porter (YNAP) group on an interim basis in October 2022.

Loehnis, who was previously president of Net-a-Porter, Mr Porter & The Outnet, has spent more than 15 years at the online fashion giant.

During her tenure, she pioneered the introduction of broader product categories and expansion into new markets across the Net-a-Porter business.

Loehnis, who also sits on the board of athleisure giant Lululemon, has previously held positions at LVMH, Hachette Filipacchi, The Walt Disney Company after starting her career in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi.

Karen Bird, interim CEO, McColl’s

Karen Bird was hired by Morrisons on an interim basis to lead the integration of its new acquisition, convenience store group McColl’s, which it snapped up in May last year.

However, she is due to stand down after a short handover period at the grocer.

Bird was previously chief operating officer at McColl’s, although she ran the group on an interim basis when former CEO Jonathan Miller left the business in March last year.

Prior to joining McColl’s in 2016, Bird spent over 20 years with Big 4 grocer Tesco in both HR and operational positions.

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The retail group said it was doing so after an “incredible growth year” for the business.

It has grown The Range’s store portfolio to 215 shops and brought Wilko back both to UK high streets and online after it acquired the brand out of administration.

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However, the retail group is planning to open for extended hours in the run up to Christmas. 

CDS Superstores CEO Alex Simpkin said: “It’s been an incredible year and I can’t thank all our hard-working team members enough. We believe everyone deserves a well-earned break over the festive season, so we’ve taken the decision to close for the two-day break, no exceptions.”

Simpkin also hinted on an “exciting year ahead” where it will strengthen The Range brand and continue its “ambitious roll-out” of Wilko stores across the UK.

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The online fashion giant’s annual executive bonus will now mainly be based on hitting profit targets, along with improving its share prices and profit margins.

It comes as other big companies have faced investor pressure to deprioritise ESG targets and refocus on profits. Unilever’s new CEO Hein Schumacher has said it will no longer “force-fit” all of its brands with a social purpose.

In its last financial year, Asos’ annual bonus was based 15% on revenue, 25% on adjusted pre-tax profit, 35% on adjusted free cash flow ,and 25% on strategic and ESG measures. 

The strategic and ESG element was measured on diversity, equity, and inclusion and had female and ethnic minority leadership targets.

For its current financial year, 75% of the bonus is based on adjusted EBITDA with the remaining 25% measured against targets for closing stock, adjusted gross margin and cost to serve. 

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Asos has made the decision is growing profits is “what management will be focused on delivering for the year ahead”. It said the move was in order so as not to “detract from our emphasis on profitability”.

The online retailer, which plunged to a near-£300m full-year loss in its last financial year, is eyeing a return to growth in 2025.

It will instead include a diversity measure in its longer-term incentive scheme. 

Asos has a target to hit 50% female and 15% ethnic minority representation at every leadership level by 2030. 

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