Just Group director steps down

Premier Investments has announced retail veteran and Just Group core brand director, Colette Garnsey, will permanently step down from her role due to a serious medical condition.

In a statement, the retail group said Garnsey would be unable to work full time and undertake the required travel as part of the role.

Garnsey was previously group general manager at Pacific Brands.

She has had over 30 years’ experience in retail and was formerly in senior management at David Jones Limited for over 20 years, most recently holding the position of group GM. She is a board member of Australian Wool Innovation Limited (since 2011), the L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival (since 2006), a committee member of the TCF Innovation Council (since 2010) and a judge of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year.

In its first half results, Premier Investments lifted its underlying first-half profits 9.7 per cent to reach 100.6 million.

The owner of several retail brands including Smiggle, Peter Alexander, and Just Jeans reported record underlying EBIT of $93.0 million, up 10.6 per cent on the comparable 26 week period last year ($84.1 million). Underlying net profit before tax increased 10.8 per cent to $90.9 million.

At the time, Premier also announced the appointment of Nicole Naccarella as the new group GM of Jacqui E, reporting to Garnsey. Naccarella joined from Harris Scarfe where she was GM of apparel, and was previously the group GM of womenswear, intimates and accessories at Myer.

The company also appointed Vicky Kordatou, a former business manager of Myer Miss Shop to the role of merchandise manager for woven tops, dresses and coats. Joanne Simmonds was appointed merchandise manager responsible for knits, separates and accessories and is a former Portmans merchandise manager .