James Cheetham has been promoted to the role of store operations director at national kitchen retailer Magnet, where he will focus on leading the next phase of the company’s showroom strategy and developing its showroom network.
Cheetham has more than 18 years of experience in retail leadership, including senior roles at Wilko and Poundland. He joined Magnet in 2024 as regional manager, quickly progressing to be its head of stores before being promoted to his new role.
His new appointment comes after the retailer announced plans earlier this year to close 15 “underperforming” stores, as it looked to reshape its historical retail estate and enter a CVA. Following that, Magnet CEO Sophie Rose told kbbreview that the work to reshape its store network will also continue to be a key focus for the business going forwards.
Along with Cheetham’s promotion, Magnet also says it is introducing a new scheme to give its designers the chance to earn an uncapped commission on top of their basic salary, as part of plans to invest further in its colleagues.
“We’ve already made good progress with our plans and I’m excited about the opportunity to build on everything we’ve achieved this year,” James Cheetham commented.
He continued: “We’ve got brilliant people right across this business, and I’m really proud of the investment we’re making in them, giving them the right tools and support to do their best work and making sure they’re rewarded for their hard work and talent. That’s how we’ll continue to attract and keep great people, while delivering the great service our customers know us for.”
Sophie Rose, Magnet CEO, added: “James’s appointment comes at a really important time for Magnet as we focus on delivering the next phase of our transformation. He’s made a huge impact since joining the business, bringing a strong understanding of what it takes to run successful stores and just as importantly, how to get the best out of people.
“As we head into our busiest trading period with a stronger proposition and a clear plan for growth, I’m delighted to have James leading our stores and helping us build on the momentum we’ve created this year.”