Country Road Group has just promoted Lucy Nutter to chief product officer and managing director of both Country Road and Witchery brands.
Nutter’s new role comes after leading Witchery as general manager for the last two years. Prior to that, she held senior roles at British labels River Island and Miss Selfridge, and was on the global leadership team in the ladies buying/trend division at Cotton On Group.
In her new role, Nutter will lead product and brand functions across Country Road and Witchery.
"Product excellence sits at the heart of everything we do,” Nutter said. “It starts with understanding our customer, having clarity around who we are as brands and creating products that are distinctive, relevant and beautifully executed.”
The new MD and CPO added that her focus will be on enhancing the product offer, strengthening customer connection and empowering teams to respond with greater agility in an increasingly dynamic retail environment.
Nutter’s appointment forms part of a broader strengthening of leadership across Country Road and Witchery. Jen Petropoulos has been promoted to the newly created role of general manager of marketing for both Country Road and Witchery after eight years with the business.
Deanna Iannello joins as Witchery GM, bringing more than 20 years' experience leading product and brand transformation across major international fashion retailers. This includes Topshop and ASOS in recent years.
Meanwhile, Shani Delargy joins in late August as general manager of apparel and accessories for Country Road. She was recently buying director of childrenswear at River Island, and was a trading director at Debenhams.
This shakeup comes more than a month-and-a-half after Country Road made the MD role redundant, leading to the exit of Helen Wright after one-and-a-half years in the role.
Country Road Group CEO Steven Cook – who also held a leading role at Debenhams and a few other UK-based retailers – said the leadership overhaul at Country Road and Witchery demonstrates the importance of product leadership in delivering the Group's long-term strategy.
"Great product is foundational to our strategy and to creating the distinctive brands our customers choose and love,” Cook said. “Country Road and Witchery hold a unique place in Australian fashion and lifestyle, and this appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening product leadership across both brands as we continue to evolve our offer, deepen customer connection and support future growth.”
For Nutter in particular, Cook said she is an exceptional retail leader with deep product expertise, international experience and a strong track record of building high-performing teams.
“Over the past two years, she has played an important role in strengthening the Witchery brand, and I am delighted to see her take on this expanded leadership role."