Anna Blackburn has been promoted to the board of directors of Beaverbrooks.
Ms Blackburn has been with Beaverbrooks for over 20 years, beginning her career as a shop floor salesperson in Manchester before working her way up through the ranks to become chief executive in 2013. She has assumed the title of managing director for Beaverbrooks on joining the board.
In the four years since taking over as CEO, turnover has increased by around 20% and, more significantly, operating profit has doubled.
She is only the second person from outside the founding families of Beaverbrooks to have earned a seat on the board.
Beaverbrooks chairman Mark Adlestone and managing director Ms Blackburn have formed a highly effective leadership team that has helped Beaverbrooks grow considerably faster than rival Ernest Jones.
In a trading update to WatchPro today, Mr Adlestone said that sales were up in low single digits over the Christmas trading period, and were expected to rise to around £123 million for the financial year that ends on February 28. Operating profit will also be up following a dip in the 2016-17 financial year.
Ernest Jones sales fell by 3.9% in the nine weeks to December 30, according to a financial update from parent group Signet Jewelers.
- Read the full interview with Mark Adlestone and Anna Blackburn in the February edition of WatchPro.
