Poundland has promoted its former retail and transformation director, Austin Cooke to the role of chief operating officer.
Cooke, who began his new position last month, had been placed at his former role since 2020 and was Poundland UK and Ireland’s retail director for the three years before.
During his time as retail and transformation director, Cooke was involved in store-wide changes including the roll our of its chilled and frozen food in 2021 which looked to see 500 of its stores stocking the range within two years.
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Speaking of Cooke’s new position, a Poundland spokesperson told The Grocer, it “formally reflects the added responsibility he’s had for some time.”
“We’re accelerating our work on creating a much lower-cost, efficient and consistent business, and as part of that work, Austin is also taking leadership of the re-invention of our supply chain working from the shelf back.”
Prior to joining the discount retailer in 2017, Cooke was employed in varies corporate roles at KFC, including as senior global mergers & acquisitions director, according to his LinkedIn.
The news comes as Poundland has unveiled its expansion plans to open 25 stores across the UK by the end of 2022.
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