Simon Fox leaves HMV next month after six years as chief executive of the entertainment retailer to be replaced by former Jessops boss Trevor Moore. Retail Week looks at Fox’s time at the top of HMV.

September 2006

Joins HMV Group as chief executive. Before that he was managing director of Comet and chief executive of Kingfisher’s e-Electricals business. He founded Office World in 1989 where he was managing director until 1998.

August 2007

Sells HMV’s Japanese business. HMV acquires seven Fopp stores and 25 former Zavvi stores.

November 2007

Amazon launches the Kindle, further threatening HMV’s books retailer Waterstones’ market share.

February 2008

Takes on the additional responsibility of managing director for HMV UK and Ireland.

January 2009

Entered the live venue sector by purchasing a 50% stake in MAMA Group in January 2009.

April 2009

Develops new partnership with Orange to sell the phone operators products and services.

September 2009

Acquires half of online music store 7digital. Waterstones acquires eight former Books etc stores in London as part of Borders’ disposal programme in 2009.

March 2010

Becomes chairman of Mama Group.

May 2010

Takes a non-executive role at Guardian Media Group.

January 2011

Begins the closure of 40 HMV stores and 20 Waterstones shops.

May 2011

Secures a deal to sell the Waterstone’s book business to a fund controlled by Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut for £53m, in a restructuring effort to reduce the retailer’s heavy debt burden and keep the banks on side.

June 2011

Sells Canadian business, including 121 stores, to Hilco to further reduce the debt pile.

November 2011

Opens first pop up technology store in One New Change after a focus on headphones, tablets and MP3 players.

January 2012

Pulls off a highly significant deal with the banks after securing better terms with HMV’s key suppliers. After months of pressure, the banks agreed to waive a covenant test, giving HMV “significantly enhanced headroom”.

March 2012

Begins the sale of HMV’s live division.

May 2012

Fends off speculation he is set to leave HMV. Predicts HMV will return to profit this year after the collapse of rival Game.

June 2012

Sells HMV Hammersmith Apollo.

August 2012

Reveals he is to leave the business in September

Topics