Debenhams marketing director to leave

One of Britain's leading female retailers is to leave a senior role at Debenhams after less than a year, the department store announced today.

Angela Spindler, who joined in February, will part company with the group at the end of the month.

She joined Debenhams as managing director from her previous post as head of Asda's fashion label George, taking on responsibility for marketing and the online business.

But worsening prospects for the high street as well as Debenhams' high debts have forced the group to cut its cloth.

Marketing spend is being scaled back as part of the group's plans to prune up to £15m (€18.8m) from its costs on top of the £20m (€25.1m) already saved.

Debenhams is promoting chief operating officer Michael Sharp to deputy chief executive, taking over responsibility for marketing and online operations.

Chief executive Rob Templeman said: "Michael's track record and knowledge of the Debenhams business, along with his long established pedigree in the fashion industry, leaves him well placed to take on the position ... and the additional responsibilities it entails."

Mr Templeman also thanked Ms Spindler for her work over the past year at the group. She previously held senior positions at Cadbury Schweppes and Pedigree Masterfoods before joining Asda.

Debenhams slashed its shareholder payout two weeks ago as it focused efforts on coping with the consumer downturn and cutting a £1bn (€1.25bn) debt mountain.

Reporting a 16% drop in full-year profits to £110.1m (€138.1m), Debenhams said it would manage the business "tightly" after difficult and uncertain market conditions left like-for-like sales 4.2% lower since the end of August.