UK High Street fashion retailer New Look has appointed Chief Operating Officer Lynda Petherick as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Petherick will formally assume the top role on 22nd September 2026. She succeeds Helen Connolly, who will step down after six years leading the business and will stay on until 21st September 2026 to manage the leadership transition.
The executive change arrives alongside positive trading figures for the retailer. New Look posted a first-quarter EBITDA of £17.4 million, representing a £1.8 million increase compared to the same period in the prior year. This builds on its full-year 2026 results, when EBITDA rose to £36.6 million from £14.3 million in the previous year due to improved profit margins, better inventory control and reduced operational costs.
Petherick joined New Look in 2024 as Chief Information Officer to lead its digital overhaul before taking over as Chief Operating Officer in 2025. She previously worked as Managing Director at Accenture, heading its retail and fashion advisory division across the UK and Ireland. She also served on the Board of the British Fashion Council between November 2022 and January 2026, leading its sustainability and circular fashion initiatives.
New Look has also concluded a refinancing process, securing extensions on its term loan and operational facilities out to 2029. The business operates 309 stores across the UK and currently stands as the third-largest online women’s fashion retailer in the country, with digital channels generating roughly 40 per cent of total group revenue.
Alongside the financial results, the retailer announced that its loyalty scheme, Club New Look, has passed one million members. The company has also launched New Look Pulse, a data platform that tracks real-time customer purchasing habits and market trends to aid forecasting and inventory planning.
Mike Coupe, Chairman of New Look, commented: “New Look is in a stronger position than it has been for many years. The strength of our FY 2026 outturn, together with our firstquarter performance, positive customer response to our product and the continued growth of Club New Look, demonstrates the momentum across the business. These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of colleagues across New Look, the strength of our leadership team and the discipline with which the business has executed its strategy.”
“The Board is delighted to appoint Lynda as Chief Executive. She combines strong commercial judgement and operational discipline with a deep understanding of our customers, our brand and the role that data and technology will play in our future. As COO she knows the business extremely well, has already made a significant impact and has a clear vision for its next phase.”
“I would like to thank Helen for her commitment and leadership over the past six years. She has led the business with energy and determination and will continue to work closely with Lynda and the Board to ensure a smooth transition.”
“With Lynda as Chief Executive, a strong platform in place and clear momentum in our customer proposition, New Look is well positioned to build on its progress and realise the significant opportunity ahead.”
Lynda Petherick, incoming CEO, said: “New Look is a fantastic brand, with a clear position in the market, millions of loyal customers and talented colleagues who care passionately about its success.”
“Over the past two years, we have made significant progress in strengthening the business and becoming a faster, more data-led and customer-focused organisation. The encouraging response to our recent product and collections, the growth of Club New Look and the launch of Pulse give us a powerful platform from which to deepen customer relationships and make better commercial decisions.”
“It is a privilege to be appointed Chief Executive. I am excited about what New Look can achieve and look forward to working with our brilliant teams to build on the strong progress already made and deliver the next phase of sustainable, profitable growth.”
Helen Connolly, outgoing CEO, commented: “It has been an honour to lead New Look and to work alongside such talented and committed colleagues. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and leave the business with real momentum and a clear opportunity ahead.”
“Lynda brings extensive leadership experience, together with invaluable expertise in operations, data and technology. I know she will be an excellent leader as the business enters its next phase, and I look forward to supporting a smooth transition and seeing New Look continue to thrive.”
