Mark Newton-Jones, the former chief executive of Shop Direct, has been appointed interim chief at Mothercare as the retailer tries to refocus online and overseas.
The retailer is searching for a permanent replacement for Simon Calver who abruptly parted company with Mothercare last month. Calver had been in the role for less than two years.
The retailer has been hampered by competition from the likes of Next, Gap and John Lewis for years. It was among the earlier high street movers online but it then failed to capitalise and still has a large store estate which investors now see as a ball and chain.
But despite initial optimism over the company's turnaround plan in 2012, Christmas trading this year was dire.
Newton-Jones ran Shop Direct for almost a decade. He has been instrumental in turning the business from a catalogue giant into a retailer that primarily sells clothing, electricals and other products online.
The company's achievements during his management term included establishing Very.co.uk as one of the UK's biggest online clothing retailers. Very.co.uk is almost as big as Asos with around £700 million sales. Asos made £754 million last year and is expected to top £1 billion this year.
Prior to Shop Direct, Newton-Jones worked at Next. He is expected to assume his new role on March 17.
Mothercare chairman Alan Parker said: 'We are delighted to have secured the appointment of Mark as our interim CEO. His leadership skills and depth of experience in retailing through stores and online will further enhance our drive to deliver the recovery of the UK business to complement the strong and growing international operations.'
Newton-Jones said: 'I’m very much looking forward to working alongside Alan, the board and the executive team of Mothercare, and to help in the transformation of the UK business whilst we continue to grow the successful international division.'
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