The º£½ÇÊÓƵ boss of H&M has been named the new CEO of fashion retail giant Matalan.
Henrik Nordvall will join Merseyside-based Matalan in February 2026 after 17 years at H&M. He worked in several countries for H&M before becoming CEO of the fashion chain’s º£½ÇÊÓƵ and Ireland arm, overseeing revenues of $1.5bn.
Matalan is one of the North West’s retail giants. It was founded by John Hargreaves in the 1980s and today has some 265 stores in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and beyond.
The company says it enjoyed a strong first half, with EBITDA profitability up 69% to £34m in the six months to August 30. It said: “This was driven by margin expansion alongside a tight focus on costs, as the business continues to deliver on its strategic initiatives including its store refresh programme, with upgraded stores outperforming the rest of the estate by 14%.â€
When Mr Nordvall joins Matalan, the group’s current executive chairman Karl-Heinz Holland will return to being chair of the board.
New CEO Mr Nordvall said: “I am thrilled to join Matalan as the new CEO from February 2026. Matalan is on a very exciting journey on delivering everyday style, quality and value to their customers and I am excited to start contributing to the business.
“Together with the executive team, the board and the whole Matalan team, I look forward to taking the company into the future.â€
Karl-Heinz Holland aid: “I am absolutely delighted that Henrik is joining Matalan at this exciting stage of our transformation. In Henrik, we have an individual with significant º£½ÇÊÓƵ apparel retail experience, coupled with proven CEO leadership experience to continue Matalan’s strategic delivery. I have no doubt that he will add huge value across all areas of the business, complementing the experienced executive and leadership team.
“I would like to take this time to thank the executive team for their valuable contribution and commitment over the last 12 months whilst we have been concluding our search.â€
This week, Mr Nordvall . He said: "17 years ago, fresh out of University, I joined a company I have deeply and fundamentally loved working for. I joined for the international opportunities, the reputation of them truly believing in their people and for the company culture which I’d heard about from others. All of this, and much more, is true. It has been a true honour to work for H&M all these years.
"Earlier this year I made my boldest decision to date, when I decided to leave H&M to explore something unknown. It was bold, as I know that I will deeply miss H&M and its people a lot.
"Many of you reading this know how much I appreciate you and how grateful I am for all learnings you have given me, shaped me with. Rest assure I will never forget!
"H&M is an absolutely amazing company, and I wish it and all of you working there the best into your very bright future.
"I am still working for H&M for a couple months, then a new chapter will begin."
