Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Samm Swain has left Lakeland following nearly 10 years of service at the housewares chain, most recently as buying & merchandising director.
The retailer said: ‘Samm has left the business to take on a new challenge in the form of an exciting independent new business opportunity.’
Lakeland has now appointed Steve Knights as an interim buying & merchandising director. Joining the business on August 12, Steve ‘has ensured a smooth transition of the role and will provide strong leadership to the wider buying team prior to the recruitment of a permanent buying & merchandising director’.
Steve began his career initially in store management and then progressed to various buying roles for Halfords. He has since held posts such as commercial director with Argos; global sourcing and value chain director for the Argos, Homebase and Habitat brands; and was also commercial director at Dunelm.
Commenting on Samm’s departure, Lakeland ceo Catherine Nunn said: “It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for Samm to leave, having thoroughly enjoyed her time at Lakeland, being instrumental in shaping Lakeland’s product and customer-focused strategy and working tirelessly over the past two and a half years to implement this whilst leading the buying & merchandising team. We have much for which we are grateful to Samm and we will miss her greatly.”
