Facia takes on Harrods chief for group role

Facia Group, one of the UK’s fastest-growing retail companies, has appointed Harrods director of marketing Trevor Bell as its new group marketing director, after a three-month search (MW March 3).

Facia, previously called Salisbury’s, includes: Sock Shop; costume jewellery outlet Torq; Red or Dead; Oakland Menswear; lingerie chain Contessa; and luggage chain Salisbury.

All have been bought by chairman and chief executive Stephen Hinchliffe in the past year. Facia also owns cigarette lighter brand Colibri.

Bell will join the Facia board, reporting directly to Hinchliffe. “Marketing in the retail sector is a peripheral activity. Product and environment drive the sector,” he says. “Facia is giving marketing a central role, rather than making it a fringe activity.”

Bell says he will treat the individual companies as brands rather than retail chains.

He intends to conduct an immediate review of above and below-the-line advertising. “We may appoint a single agency on a group-wide basis or appoint on individual brands.”