Cath Kidston on the hunt for new CFO

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 12, 2018

Cath Kidston chief financial officer Neil Harrington has left his role in the second high-level departure in less than four months at the British clothing company.

“Neil has recently left Cath Kidston to take on a new role. A search is currently underway to appoint his successor and we look forward to announcing our new CFO soon,” a spokesman for Cath Kidston said on Tuesday.

Harrington joined the quirky fashion and homeware business, whose signature florals have become a staple on the high street, in July 2012 from Mothercare, where he was finance director.

He has also held senior finance roles at French Connection, Barclays Bank and Asda/Walmart.

Last year, Cath Kidston returned to profitability with profits of £800,000 compared to losses of £2.1 million in the year to March 2016. The growth was supported by the decision to buy back the Japanese franchise operation, and to move its product sourcing out of China and into cheaper countries.

The business is also benefiting from the growing popularity of its ‘essential Britishness’ overseas.

Harrington’s resignation follows the departure of former chief operating officer Geert Peeters in June. Peeters left the company to take up the same role at bootmaker Dr Martens.