Anthony Thompson appointed chief executive of Fat Face

Fat Face, the active lifestyle clothing and accessories retailer, has appointed Anthony Thompson as its new chief executive, succeeding Louise Barnes who is stepping down after seven years with the business. Anthony (45) is currently managing director of the George brand within the international division of Walmart Stores and is an executive director of ASDA Stores Ltd. He is a former retail director of Marks and Spencer plc and senior vice president of Gap in Europe.

Commenting on the appointment, Fat Face chairman Alan Giles said: "We are delighted that Anthony is joining to lead the Fat Face team. The market has been difficult for all retailers so we're especially pleased that someone with his extensive retail knowledge and passion for building successful retail brands will be leading our business. We would also like to record our thanks to Louise Barnes who has made such a tremendous contribution to the development of the company and wish her every success for the future."

Anthony Thompson, who will join Fat Face on 19th April, said: "Fat Face is a very special brand with a strong heritage. I am excited to be joining the Fat Face team and can see huge potential for the brand."

Mr Thompson began his career as a graduate trainee at Marks and Spencer in 1986, then becoming a retail consultant at Arthur Andersen in 1995. In 1997 he was appointed managing director of Blackwell Retail Ltd and became group chief executive of Blackwell Ltd in 1998. He subsequently joined Gap in 2000 and returned to Marks and Spencer in 2003. He assumed responsibility for the George brand within Walmart/ASDA in 2007. For the year to 30 May 2009, Fat Face sales rose by 2.8% to £129.9 million with EBITDA of £25 million (£26.6 million). It also opened 19 new stores and increased the number of John Lewis Partnership sites from 17 to 25. The brand was also introduced to 20 Cotswold Outdoor stores.

Alan Giles added: "Fat Face remains a highly cash generative business. We have delivered solid results in one of the most difficult trading climates of recent years, successfully adding new stores and developing new routes to market. We also undertook a full review of our consumer offer and at the same time maintained tight control of our cost base. Trading in the seven months to the end of December 2009 remains in line with last year's levels".

About Fat Face

Fat Face is an active lifestyle brand that sells not only clothing for men, women and kids but also footwear, jewellery, Any Place (e.g. beach kit) and accessories. It is a multi-channel brand with a network of 171 wholly-owned stores, mail order catalogues, a fully interactive website and a growing wholesale operation.

Fat Face was acquired by Bridgepoint in May 2007.