Fawaz Al Hokair said to appoint Simon Marshall as Blanco’s CEO

Saudi retail giant Fawaz Abdulaziz Al Hokair Co. has appointed Simon Marshall as Blanco’s chief executive officer (CEO) with immediate effect following the dismissal of Stephen Craig, Spanish fashion newspapers reported last week.

Marshall currently serves also as Al Hokair Group’s CEO and head of business development. 

Saudi Arabia’s largest franchise retailer was said to be laying off chief executive Craig along with three other senior executives as part of its plan to restructure the Spanish fashion retailer's management. 

Creative director Amy Molyneaux, chief operating officer Paul Seston and production director Matt Arrowsmith were also let go from the firm. 

No reason was given for their departures. 

Craig joined the Spanish fashion retailer in July 2015 to lead a turnaround of the company. He earlier served as the former chief executive of All Saints. 

In 2014, Al Hokair acquired Suite Blanco, which was rebranded as Blanco last year.

Blanco has 190 branches internationally, including 121 in Spain.