Analysis: Who will replace Michael Sharp as Debenhams boss?

Suzanne Harlow

Trading director Suzanne Harlow is part of Sharp’s senior team at Debenhams and has already been mooted as the obvious heir to his throne, should the board opt to promote from within.

A Debenhams veteran of 21 years, Harlow joined the retailer as a senior womenswear buyer in 1994, progressing to serve as buying and merchandising director for accessories and lingerie and divisional director for accessories, lingerie and cosmetics.

Having spent three years as trading director for womenswear, lingerie and beauty, Harlow has led the design, buying and merchandising functions of the business since 2008 and joined the board in December 2013.

Chairman Nigel Northridge today reaffirmed his confidence that the board has “a clear and effective strategy” in place. If he means what he says, an internal appointment would be a decent bet – and Harlow’s experience would surely mean she is top of that list.

Susanne Given

With a CV that boasts time at some of retail’s biggest businesses – including two of Debenhams’ department store rivals – Suzanne Given is almost certain to be on Debenhams’ wish list. 

Following stints at Furniture Village, House of Fraser, Homebase, Harrods, TK Maxx and John Lewis, Given’s three-year tenure as chief operating officer at Supergroup came to a shock end in February.

She did not spend too long away from the retail sector, having been drafted in to Made.com as an independent director in July. But the opportunity to take on a more hands-on role, and her first chief executive position, at Debenhams would certainly appeal.

Alistair McGeorge

Another potential candidate with undoubted retail pedigree, McGeorge could be tempted back into a chief executive role if Debenhams was to come calling.

McGeorge is accustomed to taking the reins of big retailers. He took the helm of Littlewoods in 2001 after stepping up from his role as supply chain director to succeed Barry Gibson as chief executive.

He moved to Matalan in 2006, taking the baton from John King to become the value fashion retailer’s fourth boss in the space of just five years. But the enigmatic McGeorge departed four years later with his reputation very much enhanced, having improved the business and kept demanding founder John Hargreaves happy.

McGeorge’s next trick was to revive New Look’s fortunes, taking over the troubled retailer in 2011 and returning it to profit two years later, before becoming chairman.

Having left that role in March 2014, a return to the chief executive’s chair with Debenhams might be seen as a long shot, but isn’t outside the realms of possibilty.

John King

The man McGeorge succeeded with such aplomb at Matalan, John King is another retailer who could find his name being touted for the Debenhams hot seat.

King joined Matalan in March 2003 having been plucked from the relative obscurity of Delta US, but struggled amid stiff competition from Primark and the supermarkets as Tesco and Asda’s clothing brands gained traction.

Having revealed in January 2006 that he would be leaving Matalan to return to the US, King instead took the top job at House of Fraser, where he spent eight years in charge, culminating in the retailer’s sale to Chinese giant Sanpower last year.

Such experience at the head of a department store chain would appeal to the Debenhams board, but having moved back to the US, a return to UK retail may not prove a similar draw for King.

Kate Bostock

Although Retail Week sources suggest there is “slim to zero” chance of Bostock moving to Debenhams, there is no doubt that her fashion retail credentials would make her a consideration for the job.

Earning her spurs as product director for kidswear at Next and product director for George at Asda, Bostock later joined Marks & Spencer, where she served as head of womenswear and director of general merchandise.

The highly-regarded Bostock was among the names touted to replace former M&S chief executive Sir Stuart Rose, but instead became executive director of product and trading at Asos, before taking her first step into the chief executive shoes at Coast.

Having stepped down from the fashion retailer earlier this month to concentrate on building her children’s brand, Angel & Rocket, a swift return to retail with Debenhams would be viewed as something of a surprise.

Frances Russell

A candidate who previously reported to Bostock at M&S, Russell’s CV highlights her strong fashion background.

One of the crop of retail leaders to graduate from the Burton group, Russell was brand director of plus-size Evans and menswear specialist Burton, before switching to M&S.

There, she was in charge of buying and merchandising across lingerie before adding beauty to her repertoire in 2010. She earned a promotion to the role of womenswear director in November 2012.

But Russell parted ways with M&S in August as the retailer reshaped its senior team and a swift return to the sector with one its fashion rivals has already been mooted.