Matalan COO Phil Hackney to leave role
Matalan Chief Operating Officer Phil Hackney has left the fashion retailer after three years with the business, with a new role lined up later this month. He joined Matalan in June 2023 as Chief Supply Chain Officer before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in February 2026.
Hackney announced his departure on LinkedIn, saying it had been an “amazing experience” leading the transformation of Matalan’s systems and operational areas. He added that he had enjoyed “working with some brilliant people, and having some fun along the way”.
A Matalan spokesperson said Phil Hackney made a significant contribution to Matalan during his three years with the business, helping strengthen important capabilities across technology, operations, supply chain, logistics, and sustainability. The retailer confirmed that Hackney decided earlier this year that it was the right time for him to leave the business.
Hackney is taking a couple of weeks away from work before starting his new role, although he has not yet revealed where he will be moving. Matalan has not yet announced his replacement.
Before joining Matalan, Hackney spent more than 15 years in senior operational and supply chain roles. He was Chief Operating Officer at The Very Group from February 2016 to May 2022 and Logistics Director at Pets at Home from February 2007 to February 2016.
In his LinkedIn post, Hackney thanked former Matalan CEO Jo Whitfield for bringing him into the business, as well as outgoing CEO Henrik Nordvall and members of the retailer’s executive team. He also thanked his wider team and said he would “look on with real interest” as Matalan continued its transformation journey.
As Hackney leaves, they continue to invest in a multi-year transformation programme. This development will likely mean that the company’s efforts to upgrade its stores and digital offer will need to be sustained by the remaining team, potentially leading to new opportunities and challenges for the people involved in the transformation process.
In March, the retailer secured a further £25 million commitment from its core investors to accelerate store upgrades and investment in its product and digital offer, following 30 store refurbishments completed in 2025.
Matalan will need to sustain its efforts to upgrade its stores and digital offer. Notably, the retailer’s transformation programme is designed to enhance the overall customer experience, which could involve further improvements to its online platform, as well as the introduction of new services and features in its physical stores, building on the progress made so far with the refurbishments.
