One of the industry’s smartest but most understated chief executives, Debenhams boss Rob Templeman combines a trading mentality with strategic nous.
Despite criticism that Debenhams’ promotional stance risked undermining the business, Templeman has ensured the department store group gained ground.
One of the highlights of the last year for Templeman was Debenhams’ £323m fundraising, designed to reduce debt levels and pay for acquisitions.
Purchases such as that of the Principles brand were conducted on advantageous terms, while markedly strengthening Debenhams reputation for powerful own-brands - a key contributor both to consumer appeal and healthy profit margins.
Shortly before Christmas, Templeman made what is likely to be a key move - he acquired the Danish department store group Magasin du Nord. The deal established a continental bridgehead for Debenhams’ own stores: the group intends to leverage its proprietary brand power to appeal to Scandinavian shoppers just as it has in the UK.
Industry pundits believe it is highly likely that Debenhams will replicate the Principles deal with the purchase of the footwear brand and retailer Faith, following the company’s collapse in April this year.
Templeman is likely to wait until he can move from a position of the greatest possible strength, probably picking up Faith for a song - after administrators clean up the mess
created by the shoe chain’s former owners.
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