Clinton Cards has appointed a new chief executive, Darcy Willson-Rymer – currently managing director of Starbucks UK and Ireland – who will join the greetings card retailer in October.
The founder, chairman and chief executive of Clinton Cards, Don Lewin, will become non-executive director of the business from August 1 and then life president in March 2012. John Coleman and Robert Gunlack are also due to retire from the board of the company and will be replaced in the near future.
This is the first time in the history of Clinton Cards, which was launched in 1986, that a non family member has taken the helm of the company. Willson-Rymer will work alongside Don Lewin’s son Clinton Lewin, who is group managing director with a focus on strategic supplier relationships and the group’s property portfolio.
Don Lewin’s daughter Debbie Darlington is also a board member and product development director and family members own a third of the quoted business between them.
Commenting on the appointment Don Lewin said he welcomed Darcy to the group and added: “Having founded Clinton Cards over 40 years ago, the time is now right for me to assume a non-executive role. The changes announced today will bring important new experience to our senior management team and strengthen the board”.
