New Look appoints Lynda Petherick CEO

UK fashion retailer New Look announced the appointment of Lynda Petherick as Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Sean Connolly, who will step down on 21 September 2026 after six years. Petherick, who joined New Look in 2024 as Chief Information Officer and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2025, will take up the role on 22 September. The leadership change comes as New Look reports its strongest financial performance in a decade, with FY2026 EBITDA of £36.6m, more than double the prior year, and Q1 EBITDA of £17.4m, up £1.8m year-on-year. The company also completed a refinancing of its term loan and operational facilities, extending key maturities to 2029. Digital channels now generate about 40% of group revenue, and the Club New Look loyalty programme has surpassed one million members. New Look also launched New Look Pulse, a customer insight and forecasting platform. Sean Connolly is set to join Walmart — Asda as CEO of its fashion and homeware arm George. Chairman Mike Coupe expressed confidence in Petherick's leadership.