People: Retail's main job moves in October

October brought news of Kate Bostock joining ASOS as executive director, product and trading after months of speculation – Marks & Spencer announced Bostock was leaving them back in July. ASOS also lost a few staff, with Caren Downie the womenswear design director and Sarah Wilkinson the womenswear design director both stepping down from their roles.

The month saw a shock departure from Kate Swann, chief executive at WHSmith, who stepped down after nine years in the role. Her successor - Steve Clarke, the present managing director - will assume his new role in June 2013.

There were also big changes at Jaeger after their buy out by Better Capital. Former owner and non-executive chairman Harold Tillman stepped down and has been replaced by Stewart Binnie, former president at Aurora Fashions. Jaeger has appointed David Hewitt, who was formerly managing director at Daks, as the head of international business and hired Shailina Parti as brand director. She was formerly buying and design director at Monsoon Accessorize.

British retailers on the move overseas have had mixed fortunes. The good news is that Richard Brasher, formerly head of Tesco’s UK business, was appointed chief executive at South African retailer Pick n Pay. But the bad news is former Dixons boss John Browett, who moved to California to take on the role as senior vice president of retail at Apple, made a shock exit late in the month.

The Hut Group has strengthened its board by appointing Richard Pennycook, until recently Morrisons’ group finance director. Matalan, meanwhile, appointed Allan Leighton as its new chairman. But Dreams and All Saints have both been left without a chairman after Steve Johnson and Kevin Stamford left their roles. Jacque Vert and White Stuff are also looking for replacement chief executives as Paul Allen and Sally Bailey have stepped down from their roles.

• October’s main retail job moves