New Look has announced that Lynda Petherick will take on the role of chief executive officer, succeeding Helen Connolly, who will step down on 21 September after six years in the role.

Petherick joined New Look as chief information officer in 2024, leading the retailer's digital transformation, before being promoted to chief operating officer in 2025. During her time at the company, she has overseen operational improvements and increased the use of data and technology across the business.

Before joining New Look, Petherick was a managing director at Accenture, where she led the consultancy's retail and fashion advisory business in the UK and Ireland.

She also served on the board of the British Fashion Council between 2022 and 2026, leading sustainability initiatives including the launch of the Circular Fashion Innovation Network.

Petherick will take up the position on 22 September as the retailer enters what it describes as its next phase of growth following its strongest financial performance in a decade. Connolly will remain with the retailer until 21 September to support the leadership transition.

The appointment comes as New Look reported first-quarter EBITDA of £17.4 million, up £1.8 million year-on-year, with the retailer citing positive customer response to recent product launches and collections.

The company also said its Club New Look loyalty programme has surpassed one million members In addition, it has launched New Look Pulse, a proprietary customer insight and forecasting platform that brings together data from customers, products, stores, loyalty, marketing, and wider market trends to support business decision-making.

Mike Coupe, chairman of New Look, said: "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 chief operating officer she knows the business extremely well, has already made a significant impact and has a clear vision for its next phase."

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