Ann Summers appoints MD

Ann Summers, the high street sex shop chain, has appointed Paula Minowa as managing director. She will take over the role on January 5.

She replaces Julie Harris, who has retired from the company. Minowa was most recently the format development director of Asda but she is also a former managing director of Boots in Taiwan. She has experience of brand and commercial develop and was responsible for creating Asda Living Concept, its standalone non-food stores. The first outlet was opened in 2004.

Her arrival will coincide with the departure of Julian Baker, currently the chain’s marketing and business development director. He is leaving to join budget retailer TK Maxx in the New Year.

He oversaw the repositioning of the brand and relaunched the website earlier this year.

The high street sex shop chain has 134 stores across the UK and Spain and there are over 7,500 Ann Summers Party Organisers holding about 4,000 parties ever week.