Poundland’s trading and digital bosses have left the business following a restructure of the leadership team under new boss Barry Williams.

A dozen senior directors in the retailer’s retail, buying, commercial, digital, supply chain and HR teams left the discount chain earlier this month, Grocery Gazette’s sister publication Retail Gazette reported.

Among those impacted by the job cuts are head of retail excellence Pete Wyatt, director of digital Tom Hill, head of digital loyalty and engagement Emma Collins, and head of labour and productivity Steve Young.

A Poundland spokesperson told Retail Gazette: “Around a dozen individuals left the business in early April as Barry put in place a smaller leadership team. It goes without saying that we wish those who left us well.”

The new leadership team sees store bosses Darren MacDonald and Olivia McLoughlin head up the retailer’s retail operations in the UK and Ireland.

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Williams was drafted in by Poundland owner Pepco in January to lead the business on an interim basis after former managing director Austin Cooke took up a role at Howdens.

Williams, who had been working for the group’s European business, was formerly appointed last month when Pepco revealed it was selling the discount chain.

The group, which has drafted in advisors at Teneo to handle an auction, said in March that it was “actively exploring” a sale of the retail business as the UK retail market had remained “increasingly challenging” with additional tax changes further impacting its cost base.

Pepco added that Poundland had continued its negative like-for-like sales performance for the first two months of the year, with an “underperformance of all categories”.

Last week, it emerged that Bensons for Beds owner Alteri was among a number of interested parties to acquire Poundland and is thought to be gearing up to submit an offer for the discount chain in the coming weeks.

It is understood that the retailer’s 825 store portfolio could be at risk as the group looks to offload the chain.