Independent department store chain Morleys Stores has appointed Melanie Smallwood as the newly created Chief Trading Officer (CTO).
She brings more than 30 years of senior retail leadership experience, spanning some of the UK’s most prestigious luxury and premium department stores including Harrods, where she held P&L responsibility for the womenswear and kidswear divisions, and Harvey Nichols, where she was global buying director.
Most recently, Melanie served as chief commercial & brand partnerships officer at Global Fashion Group, where she led trading and commercial strategy across 12 countries. In her new role, Melanie will take full responsibility for the group’s buying and merchandising functions.
This appointment marks the culmination of Morley’s efforts to bolster its senior leadership team, following the recent appointments of Judd Wilson as chief financial officer in October and Ray Clacher as CEO in January.
Chairman Bernard Dreesmann said: “On behalf of the board, I’m delighted to welcome Melanie to the group. We’re extremely flattered that she has agreed to join us at this critical time for the business. Our new management team, together with a multi-million-pound investment into our latest new store Jolly’s of Bath, opening later this year, signifies our commitment to strengthening the independent department store sector. Melanie’s extensive department store career will prove invaluable to us.”
Ray added: “I couldn’t be happier that we managed to convince Melanie to join us on this exciting journey for the group, which will proudly be 100 years old in 2027. I look forward to working with her and all the senior team to show that the community department store is still a vital mainstay of the British high street.”
