Milton Keynes, UK, 2015-3-20 — /EPR Retail News/ — Home Retail Group has announced the appointment of Echo Lu as Managing Director for Homebase, one of the UK’s leading home enhancement retailers. Echo has significant experience in retailing both in the UK and Asia, and will take up her new position on 20th April.
Echo joins Homebase from Tesco where she worked over the past ten years across different markets and a broad range of functions. Her most recent roles were as Group Business Planning & Insight Director and Property Director for Tesco UK & Ireland, she was also a member of the UK Board. Prior to these roles, Echo held a number of roles in Tesco’s Asian business, including Chief Operating Officer for China, Operations Director, East China, and Commercial Buying for Grocery.
Her career commenced at Bristol-Myers Squibb where she held a number of roles, culminating as HR Director for China. Echo graduated in International Economy & Finance at Fudan University.
John Walden, Home Retail Group Chief Executive, said:
“Echo has significant, broad-based retail experience both in the UK and the rapidly evolving Asian region, and importantly has been an agent for positive change throughout her career. She is the ideal candidate to lead Homebase and its Productivity Plan, as we improve the store operational standards and customer service, develop stronger customer propositions and accelerate Homebase’s digital capabilities, and realise its potential for greater growth.”
Echo Lu said: “I am delighted to join Home Retail Group and to lead the Homebase business. Homebase is a strong UK brand with an ambitious plan in the short-term to strengthen its foundations and exciting longer-term growth opportunities. I look forward to working with John, his executive team, the Homebase leadership team and the 18,000 Homebase colleagues to build a stronger business for the future.”
-ENDS-
Editor’s notes:
Media contacts:
Chris Wermann, Corporate Affairs Director 07718 327 107
Rollo Head, Finsbury 020 7251 3801
Photo available at the Home Retail Group media centre. http://homeretailgroup.pressarea.com/imagelibrary
Echo Lu: Curriculum Vitae
Tesco: 2004-2014
Group Business Planning & Insight Director
Property Director, UK & Ireland
Chief Operations Officer, China
Operations Director, East China
Chief Executive Officer Development Programme
Human Resources Director, Asia
Bristol-Myers Squibb 1997-2004
Human Resources Director, China
Other Human Resources leadership roles
Education
MS. Industrial Relations & Human Resources – West Virginia University
BA. International Economy & Finance -Fudan University
About Homebase
Homebase is a leading home enhancement retailer with around 60 million transactions a year, selling around 38,000 products for the home and garden. It has 304 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland and a growing internet offering at www.homebase.co.uk. In the financial year to February 2014, Homebase sales were £1.5 billion and it employed some 18,000 people across the business.
Homebase is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.
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